Tried using a bit of dish soap in my mortar mix on a hot day

It was 95 degrees in Phoenix last week and the mix was setting up way too fast. My old boss said to add a capful of Dawn to slow it down. I did, and the mortar stayed workable for almost an extra hour, but it also made the bond a bit weaker when I checked it the next day. Learned that trick is great for time, but you can't use it on load-bearing stuff. Anyone have a better fix for high heat besides just soaking the bricks more?

3 comments

3 Comments

rowan_roberts491mo ago

Actually, that Dawn trick is a bit of a band-aid fix. Seen it go wrong on a patio job where the homeowner tried it themselves. The real move is using a retarder admixture made for mortar, not dish soap. It slows the set without messing with the bond. Also, keeping your sand in the shade and mixing with cold water makes a huge difference. Soaking bricks helps, but controlling your materials' temperature is key.

nora_dixon1mo ago

Retarder admixture" sounds fancy and expensive though! For a quick backyard fix, that Dawn trick has saved my butt more than once. Sometimes you just need the mix to wait for you.

the_evan29d ago

Swapped out the Dawn for a splash of white vinegar once when I was mixing mud for a backyard wall. Worked pretty well for what I needed, just slowed things down enough to get the job done without rushing. Not saying it's the pro way to go, but in a pinch it held up fine for me. The sand in the shade advice is solid too, I've done that on hot days and it really helps.