Vent: Mortar mix was wrong and my wall started moving sideways

I was on a job outside Austin last Tuesday, building a retaining wall for a backyard patio. Mixed up my mortar a little too wet, didn't think much of it. Got about 4 courses high and noticed the whole thing was bulging out like a beer belly. Had to tear it all down before lunch and start fresh. Took me 3 extra hours to fix it. Anyone else ever have a batch go bad on you like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

gavinlopez1mo ago

...and it's not just the wet mix that's the problem, it's also how you're stacking the first course. If your base isn't perfectly level and compacted, even a perfect mortar mix won't save you. The moisture in the wetter batch just makes it easier for the whole thing to scoot. I've learned to do a test brick or two before committing to the whole wall, just to see how the mortar sets up in the actual conditions you're working in. It's a pain to tear down, but way better than watching it lean like a drunk cowboy.

pat_coleman1mo ago

Last spring I had a nearly identical thing happen on a job in Round Rock lol. I was maybe 5 courses into a garden bed border and realized the whole front face was bowing out like a pregnant guppy. Ended up having to demo it with a mini sledge and start over with a stiffer mix and a level check after every single brick. Took me like 4 hours extra and my back hurt for two days after from all that extra hauling. So yeah, I feel your pain man, that moment when you see it start to lean is just the worst.