Called an old timer crazy for wetting bricks before laying. Tried it on a job in Nashville last week.

Been laying for about 8 years. Always thought wetting bricks was some old wives tale. Picked up a job repointing a 1920s wall in Nashville. Sun was beating down. Mortar kept drying out too fast on me. Got frustrated and grabbed the hose. Soaked the whole pallet. Total game changer. The mortar stayed workable way longer. Less waste too. Has anyone else fought the urge to skip this? Worth the extra step every time?

3 comments

3 Comments

hannahj495d ago

Nah, I'd rather just mix smaller batches and keep the bricks bone dry.

ray_burns5d ago

Built a fireplace back in '04 on a 90 degree day. Soaked the bricks the night before and still had to mix small batches to keep up. Mortar stayed wet but the bricks were sweating water into the joints. Took forever to set. Different strokes I guess but I'll take dry bricks and a wet mix any day.

max_schmidt775d ago

Yeah man I was totally in the same boat, thought wetting bricks was just busy work from the old guys. But after fighting mortar that crumbles in five minutes on a hot job I'll never skip it again.