PSA: That new rapid-set mortar mix isn't the time saver everyone says it is

I tried the Quikrete rapid-set mortar last week on a small retaining wall job in my backyard. Everyone in my local crew swore by it for weekend projects. Well, I mixed up a batch and by the time I got the first brick placed, it was already too stiff to adjust. I ended up with a crooked row that I had to chisel out the next morning. Took me three hours to fix what should have been a thirty minute repair. What I learned is that regular Type N mortar gives you way more working time, and that matters more than speed when you're not doing commercial work. Has anyone else had this stuff kick off faster than the bag says?

3 comments

3 Comments

harper_foster27d ago

That 20 minute working time is plenty if you mix smaller batches.

wesley18127d ago

Boy howdy, nothing like a little race against the clock when you're just trying to lay some bricks on a Saturday... That stuff sounds like it's designed for people who already know exactly what they're doing, not for us weekend warriors trying to keep things straight. I swear, some of these "time savers" just end up costing you more time in the long run, especially when you have to play archaeologist with a chisel the next morning. At least now you know to keep a spray bottle handy or just stick with the regular stuff... lesson learned the hard way, I guess.

jana_hart1827d ago

Playing archaeologist with a chisel" is too real. I just started wetting the bricks first like @harper_foster mentioned and it buys you a solid few extra minutes of working time.