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Heads up on the new 'fast set' mortar from that big box store
I used to mix my own from scratch for years, but grabbed a bag of that pre-mix stuff for a small patio job last week to save time. It set up way too fast in the heat, about 15 minutes, and I had to toss a whole batch, costing me an extra $40 and an hour of cleanup. Anyone else run into this with the newer quick-setting products?
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elizabetht566mo ago
Yeah, those fast sets can be a nightmare in summer heat. I started mixing in small batches and using ice water to slow it down. That trick saved my last walkway project from the same mess.
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henry1016mo ago
Man, that fast set stuff is like working with quicksand in July (been there, done that). @elizabetht56 has the right idea with the ice water trick, for sure. Something else to watch is the bag itself sitting in the sun before you even open it, that heat gets baked right in and kicks off the chemical reaction early. Honestly, for a small job, going back to scratch mix with a retarder might be less headache than fighting a pre-mix that's already in a hurry.
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the_keith4mo ago
Haha yeah, nothing like paying extra for the privilege of scrubbing concrete off your tools in the sun. Should come with a free stress ball.
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