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Just realized I've been mixing mortar wrong for 10 years
I was laying out a big patio job last week and noticed my joints kept cracking after 2 days. An old timer walked by and asked if I was letting my mortar slake before adding the lime. I told him I never added lime. He looked at me like I was crazy. Turns out you're supposed to add about 1 part lime to every 4 parts cement for outdoor work. I've been doing it dry for over a decade on all my flatwork. Has anyone else missed a basic step like this and only figured it out way later?
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julia2861mo ago
That old timer saved you years of headaches. My neighbor once built a whole retaining wall with just sand and cement, no lime at all. The whole thing crumbled after one hard freeze and we still give him grief about it at cookouts.
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wright.cole1mo ago
Bet the neighbor's still invited to cookouts for the comedic relief, though.
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