Why does nobody mention how wind ruins mortar consistency?

Anthony Brown · 2026-03-04T04:21:51.857978+00:00

I was on a site with strong gusts and my mortar turned to powder before I could set the bricks. It was a HUGE waste of time and material. What do you guys do to slow down the drying? I'm thinking of trying a retarder additive next time.

keith7447mo ago

Wind absolutely wrecks mortar, been there. Mixing smaller batches helps a ton.

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davidprice7mo ago

In coastal areas, I've had success by mixing under a pop-up canopy (the cheap kind from the hardware store). The shade and wind block make a huge difference.

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the_alice7mo ago

Saw a video from a guy in Oregon who uses old political yard signs as windbreaks. He stakes them into the ground around his mixing tub. Said the corrugated plastic works way better than a tarp because it doesn't flap around as much.

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the_thea7mo ago

Yeah, the powder thing is brutal. My friend had his whole patio mix just turn to dust on a windy day last summer (he was near the coast too). He ended up draping plastic sheeting around his work area like a little tent.

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