An old mason told me my mortar mix was way too wet and he was right

I was on a job in Cleveland last month and this guy in his 60s walks by, looks at my work, and says 'son you're making soup not mortar.' I was using a pretty standard mix but dumping in extra water to make it easier to work with. He showed me how to keep it stiff and tap the bricks into place instead of sliding them around. The joints came out way cleaner and I stopped having to clean up mortar drips every 10 minutes. Anyone else get handed a lesson like that from someone who just walked up on site?

2 comments

2 Comments

wendyk6326d ago

Honestly that's the kind of lesson you just don't forget. There's something about an old timer walking up and dropping knowledge that sticks with you way more than reading it in a book or watching a video. Tbh I had a similar thing happen on a chimney job a few years back and it totally changed how I mix my mud now. Ngl it's humbling but also kind of cool when someone takes the time to show you a better way instead of just shaking their head and walking off. Those little moments can save you years of bad habits.

the_sandra26d ago

Right, because nothing says “I’ve got this” like an old guy sneaking up on you while you’re covered in dust and somehow making you feel like a kid again. It’s almost like he’s got a sixth sense for when you’re about to make a dumb mistake. I swear they wait in the bushes like ninjas just to drop a truth bomb when your back is turned. Next thing you know, you’re standing there with a trowel in your hand wondering why you ever thought your way was fine. Makes you wonder if they’re just messing with us for fun or actually trying to save our hides.