Changed my mind about pre-wetting brick after watching a drying test

I used to think soaking brick was a waste of time, especially on hot days. Then I saw this guy Jim at a job site in Phoenix set up a test with 2 stacks - one dry, one wet - and measured the mortar grab after 20 mins. The dry brick mortar crumbled while the wet one held solid. Now I always wet them, especially when it's over 90 degrees. Anybody else have a trick for timing the soak so it's not too wet or too dry?

3 comments

3 Comments

williams.sage1mo ago

Honestly, does that Phoenix test really prove the brick needed wetting or just that the mortar mix was weak to begin with? Tbh a good mortar should hold up even on dry brick if it's mixed right and the work's solid. Ngl I'd rather adjust my mix than mess with wetting every brick.

the_elliot1mo ago

I read something from a mason with like 40 years experience who said the whole "good mortar should hold on dry brick" thing is a myth from people who never worked with really thirsty clay brick. They broke it down simple: the brick's pores act like a straw and suck the water out of the mortar before it can set, leaving you with a weak joint no matter how good your mix is. That matches what I've seen where I'd mix a perfect batch, slap it on a dry brick, and watch it crumble in my hand an hour later. You say you'd rather adjust the mix, but I've tried adding more water and it just turns into soup that slides off the trowel. Wetting the brick takes ten seconds and saves me from having to tear out a whole section later. So yeah, I think that test just proves what the old guys have been saying for decades.

karen3611mo ago

Wait, am I the only one who's had a brick turn into a sponge and suck all the water out of my mix before I can even get it flat? I swear I've had days where I'm like "oh, the brick's dry, no big deal" and then the mortar crumbles like a bad cookie. I've tried mixing it wetter but it just turns into a slippery mess that doesn't hold up either. Honestly, I've ruined more than a few walls by being stubborn about not wetting bricks, so maybe the test just shows my bad habits. Do you ever just spray the brick pile and hope nobody notices the mortars falling apart?