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Old timer told me to wet my bricks before laying and I brushed him off

Had this guy in his 70s watching me lay a retaining wall last week. He kept saying soak the bricks first or they'd suck the moisture out of the mortar. I figured he was just being old school and ignored him. About 10 rows in I noticed the mortar was crumbling and falling apart on me. Had to rip out 3 rows and start over after soaking each brick in a bucket. That guy was dead right and I felt like an idiot. Anyone else get stubborn advice like that and regret it later?
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2 Comments
the_wren
the_wren1mo ago
Bricks dry out mortar way faster in direct sun, not just from absorption.
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grant901
grant9011mo ago
Think you're oversimplifying it though. Direct sun makes it worse but dry bricks still pull water out even in shade, I've watched it happen.
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