Mixing mortar too wet is killing your joints

I see guys on job sites all the time adding too much water to their mortar so it spreads like peanut butter. That extra water makes the bricks slide around and your joints end up inconsistent (not to mention weaker). I learned this the hard way on a retaining wall in Columbus where I had to tear out 3 rows because the mortar never set right. Anyone else run into slump issues from overmixing?

2 comments

2 Comments

eric3591mo agoOG Member

That's a rough lesson, having to tear out three rows just kills your whole day. Been there with mortar that just wouldn't behave and it's frustrating as hell.

keith_henderson1mo ago

Mortar problems are a different kind of nightmare though lol. With tile at least you can usually see if the thinset is drying too fast or getting crusty before you set it. Mortar can look totally fine on the surface but be a mess underneath once you tap it in. Tearing out three rows with mortar is like punishment for a crime you didn't even know you committed. At least with thinset you can scrape it off the tile and try again if you catch it quick enough. Mortar mixes can pretty much lock you in for good once they start setting up.