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My stubborn refusal to use rapid-set mortar cost me a job once
I finally gave in on a tight deadline project. Now I keep a bag on the truck for emergencies, and it's saved my bacon more than once.
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hill.margaret1mo ago
In Vegas, once it hits 100, I've seen bags harden in under 48 hours. Keeping it in a sealed tub with silica gel packs buys a little more time, but not much.
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murphy.gavin1mo ago
Storing rapid-set on the truck? It can expire in the heat.
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Last July in Phoenix, I had a bag go bad on me after just three days in the truck. Once temps hit 95, the powder starts to absorb moisture and harden. Now I only buy what I need for the day or keep it in a climate-controlled storage bin. A cheap cooler with ice packs can buy you some extra time if you're stuck.
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simon_hart1mo ago
What about the daily heat cycles rather than just the high temperature? I've found the powder suffers most from going hot to cool repeatedly, which draws in damp air each night. That constant change seems to kickstart the hardening process even if you avoid peak afternoon heat. Using airtight boxes helps, but they still sit in the same hot environment. Honestly, the only sure way is to treat it like perishable food and never leave it on the truck overnight.
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