Hot take: I used to swear by mortar mix ratios, but a job in Portland changed my mind

I've been laying brick for like 15 years and always used a 3:1 sand to cement mix for everything. Last month I worked a job in Portland where the old foreman said the local sand was way finer than what I was used to. He convinced me to try a 4:1 mix with a little lime in it for a retaining wall. The mortar stuck way better and didn't crack after a week of rain. Now I'm thinking I've been overdoing the cement on soft brick all this time. Any of you guys tweak your ratios based on local materials?

3 comments

3 Comments

jenniferw8227d ago

Did you notice any difference in how long it took the mortar to set up with the lime in it?

grant_allen851d ago

Yeah that "one ratio fits all" thing jenniferw82 mentioned really hits home. It's funny how we do that across the board though, not just with mortar. I catch myself using the same approach with everything from cooking to fixing stuff around the house. Like I used to season all my cast iron the same way til I realized different pans need different treatments depending on how old they are and what you're cooking. Same deal with mortar I guess, you gotta match the mix to the material or you're just asking for trouble down the line.

daniel_lane3027d ago

Agree with you completely. I had a similar wakeup call last year on a job upstate where the brick was super soft and old. I was using my standard mix and it was pulling all the moisture out of the brick before it could even set. Tried a 4:1 with lime like you said and it was a night and day difference. Makes me wonder how much damage Ive done over the years with too stiff a mix. Its easy to get stuck in your ways and think one ratio fits all.