Old mason Mike proved me wrong about pre-wetting bricks

I used to skip wetting bricks before laying. Thought it was a waste of time. Mike from the union hall told me I'd get weak mortar joints. I ignored him for two years. Then a wall I built last summer started cracking after the first freeze. Mike showed me his wall from 2017 standing solid. He was right. Dry bricks suck the water out of mortar before it cures. Anyone else learn this lesson the hard way?

2 comments

2 Comments

sandra7158d ago

Gotta respect @margaret_bennett3's buddy because Mike once told me the same thing...

margaret_bennett38d ago

I heard a buddy say dry bricks will suck the moisture right out before it sets.