Mortar set in 15 minutes on a 90 degree day, here's what I learned

Last summer I was doing a garden wall in Phoenix, temps hit 104 by noon. Mixed up a batch, got distracted helping the homeowner move a hose, came back and it was like concrete in the wheelbarrow. Had to chip it out with a hammer and chisel, wasted about 40 bucks of mix. Now I only mix half bags when it's hot and keep a spray bottle handy. Anyone else had mortar dry out mid job when the thermometer spikes?

1 comments

1 Comment

kaiharris19d ago

Man, I feel your pain. I once mixed a batch on a hot day in Vegas and answered the phone for maybe two minutes. Came back and the mortar was stiff enough to stand a trowel up in it. I swear I heard it laugh at me while I was chipping it out. Now I mix half batches and keep the wheelbarrow in the shade, but honestly I still end up cussing at the sun every summer.