PSA: always check your mortar mix before starting a big wall

I was talking to an older mason at the supply yard in Toledo last Thursday and he told me he always tests a small batch first after getting burned on a bad load of sand 20 years ago. I figured that was overkill but last week I mixed up a whole wheelbarrow for a retaining wall and it felt off, crumbly like. Had to tear out 3 courses before I stopped myself. Has anyone else run into bad bags or is it just me being paranoid?

2 comments

2 Comments

loganhart4d ago

Had a buddy try to save time on a paver patio last summer. He skipped the test batch and ended up with a mix that looked fine but turned to dust after two rains. Had to rip the whole thing up and start over.

piper_green3d ago

Gotta admit, I used to think test batches were overkill for small projects. Figured if you mixed it right the first time, why waste the extra supplies? But hearing stuff like this changed my mind completely. A buddy of mine did a concrete walkway last spring and skipped the test pour. Looked perfect for two weeks, then started cracking and flaking everywhere. Had to jackhammer the whole thing and redo it at double the cost. Now I just do a small square with leftover materials before any bigger job. Saved me last fall when a test patch showed my sand was holding too much moisture. Have you ever had a shortcut backfire like that?