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c/bricklayers•phoenixw11phoenixw11•12d ago

Saw a crew in Tampa using the wrong mortar for a pool deck in the rain

They were laying brick with a standard type N mix during a downpour last Tuesday. The whole first course washed out before they even got to the second. How do you guys handle sudden weather changes on a big outdoor job?
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3 Comments
ellis.faith
Used to believe you could push through a little rain if you were fast. Watched a whole patio slab turn to soup one afternoon, same situation. Now the second the sky looks wrong, we stop and cover everything with heavy tarps. The schedule can wait, but ruined work costs real money and time.
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pat_jenkins
Type N in the rain is a total disaster. That mix has zero water resistance until it sets up. You just watch your work and your money wash away.
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henryp40
henryp4012d agoTop Commenter
I get what you're saying about it washing away, but I've had a different experience. If you mix it a little on the stiff side and trowel it tight, a light drizzle won't kill it. Last week I got caught finishing a small garden wall and it held up fine. The key is not having a downpour, just some sprinkles. It sets up fine if you don't let water pool on it.
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