Rant: Threw my back out mixing mortar yesterday

Yesterday, I was mixing a big batch of mortar by hand. Now my lower back is killing me and I can barely stand up straight. What do you guys do to prevent back strain when handling heavy materials?

4 comments

4 Comments

charlie_butler4mo ago

Elevate the tub on cinderblocks to mix standing straight up.

leo6584mo ago

It's funny how often the best solutions are just about working with gravity instead of against it. We'll buy some special tool when really just propping something up gets the job done. Reminds me that a lot of problems just need you to change the angle you're looking from.

west.holly4mo ago

Used to always try and muscle heavy furniture into place. Saw @leo658's point last week when moving a dresser, just tilted it onto a blanket and slid it easily. Gravity did the work, not my back. Changed how I see a lot of chores now.

seth_shah1mo ago

Elevate the tub on cinderblocks" is genius actually. I had to mix up some concrete for a small patio project and just did this with some scrap 2x4s under the corners of a wheelbarrow. Saved my back big time, not hunched over like a shrimp the whole time.