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I mixed a batch of mortar with a bit of dish soap in it on a dare.
It was for a garden wall in my own yard, and the soap made it spread like butter but killed the bond strength. The whole thing started leaning after two days of rain. Anyone know a real way to get that smooth workability without wrecking the hold?
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the_dylan3mo ago
Yeah, a liquid plasticizer from the hardware store works way better.
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A buddy of mine tried that same dish soap trick way back in 2012 on a barbecue pit he was building in his backyard. He spent two days mixing and laying brick, only for the whole thing to crack and lean after one good summer storm. He ended up just buying a small bottle of liquid plasticizer from the local hardware store for like eight bucks, and it made the mortar smooth without wrecking the strength. Your mileage may vary, but that's what finally fixed his leaning wall.
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