parker543•1mo agoMost Upvoted

Remember when we used to mix lime mortar by hand on the big jobs?

I was working on a historic restoration in Savannah last fall, and the specs called for a traditional lime mix. I figured I'd save some time and used a power mixer on a low setting for the first batch. Big mistake. The mortar set up way too fast, like concrete, and we had to chip it all out after just two hours. The old foreman on site, a guy named Frank, just shook his head and said, 'Son, that stuff needs to breathe.' He showed me how to turn it by hand with a hoe, letting it slake overnight. The next batch was perfect, creamy and workable all morning. It cost us half a day, but it taught me that some old ways are just better. Anyone else run into trouble trying to modernize a classic technique?

2 comments

2 Comments

ellis.felix1mo ago

My buddy tried a power washer on his old brick patio and stripped the surface right off.

troy_knight921mo ago

Yeah that's a classic mistake. Did he use one of those cheap electric ones or a big gas model? The pressure setting makes a huge difference on old, soft brick. You really need a wide fan tip and keep it moving, never hold it in one spot.