A rainy day lesson in mortar proportions

I mixed a batch for a small retaining wall with insufficient cement, thinking it would set fine. A sudden storm washed it away before it could cure, wasting a day's effort. What are your best practices for mixing in unpredictable climates?

2 comments

2 Comments

flores.patricia6h ago

Skimping on cement is asking for trouble, rain or shine. That mix would have been weak even if it dried. For unpredictable weather, increase the cement ratio and consider a fast-setting additive. I learned the hard way on a garden wall that got caught in a drizzle, now I mix wetter and cover immediately with weighted tarps. Checking the radar for pop-up storms is non-negotiable. Otherwise, you're just building a sandcastle.

blair_gonzalez801h ago

Overdoing cement can make mortar brittle. I've found that managing water and using proper covers works better for pop-up storms. Those fast-setting mixes sometimes don't hold up over time.