PSA: That job up in Greenville made me reconsider how I mix mortar

I was on a big spec house last spring in Greenville, SC and the super insisted we use a wetter mix than I normally do for the brick. Half the guys thought it was fine for speed, but I had to pull three courses the next day cause they sagged. Do you stick with your usual mix no matter what the boss says, or do you flex for the schedule?

2 comments

2 Comments

riveradams1mo ago

Drove me crazy on a job in Anderson last year when my wet mix slid right off the scaffold.

keith_rodriguez1mo ago

Had the same thing happen in Greenville a few months back. Switched to a higher slump mix with a little more sand in it, that helped keep everything stuck where it should be. Also started wetting down the scaffold boards before pouring, gives the mix something to grab onto. Keep your water to cement ratio tight too, too much water makes it slide every time. That combo turned a 2 hour job into like 45 minutes once I figured it out.