Vent: My old mortar mix was costing me an extra hour a day on cleanup

For years I just used a basic type N mix for everything, even repointing. Last month on a big chimney job in Tacoma, the homeowner asked for a specific lime-rich mix. The difference was crazy. The new mortar stayed workable longer and washed off the bricks with half the effort. I timed it, and I was saving about 60 minutes a day just on cleaning the face. That's a full hour back in my pocket. Has anyone else switched up their standard mix and seen a big change in their day?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_kim21d ago

Wait, you used to use type N for repointing too? I was the same way, thought it was fine for years. But man, trying a lime mix on an old foundation job totally changed my mind. The cleanup is so much easier, it's not even funny. I don't know why I fought it for so long.

johnh8221d ago

Oh man, @the_kim, I fought that switch like it was my job, and I was bad at my job.

dylanbarnes10d ago

Yeah, I was stuck on type N for way too long. Switched to a lime mix last year on a chimney and it just moves with the old brick instead of fighting it. The difference in how it handles moisture is night and day. My old repointing jobs with type N look so rigid and wrong now.