Skeptical about pre-mixed mortar, now I'm a convert.

I always mixed my own mortar on site, thought the bagged stuff was for rookies. Then a big commercial job came up, 500 blocks for a retaining wall in Austin, and the boss insisted on using pre-mixed Type S. I figured it'd be weak or dry out too fast, but that stuff stayed workable for like 25 minutes longer than my usual mix. Has anyone else had a bad experience with pre-mixed, or am I just late to the party?

2 comments

2 Comments

victorcoleman5d ago

Stayed workable 25 minutes longer" - what mix ratio you running that it sets that fast?

the_wyatt5d ago

Wait, aren't you thinking of pot life instead of set time? Pot life is how long the mix stays workable in the cup, but set time is when it hardens in the mold. I usually run a 1:1 ratio and get about 20 minutes of workable time before it starts getting thick.