My new habit of adding a dash of lime to mortar has split our crew into two camps.

I say it makes the work easier, but the old guys say it's pointless with today's cement, so what do you think?

3 comments

3 Comments

The old guys saying it's pointless with today's cement reminds me of my granddad. He swore by a spoonful of sugar in his plaster mix for years, claiming it gave him more working time. Some tricks just stick around from when materials were less consistent.

shanerodriguez2mo ago

I mean sugar actually does work as a retarder, it's just that modern additives are way more precise. Kinda wild that the old trick still has some real science behind it though.

joseph_baker3h ago

And honestly, even with modern additives, sugar is still way cheaper and easier to grab when you're in a pinch. Plus it's kind of comforting knowing granddad's old trick was actually based in real chemistry, not just superstition. Have you ever tried it yourself or just heard the stories?