Learned the hard way about mixing mortar in freezing temps last week in Denver

Left a batch out overnight when it dropped to 20 degrees and the whole pallet of bricks shifted two inches after it thawed. Has anyone else had a cold weather job go sideways like this?

2 comments

2 Comments

kellymurphy19d ago

How did you even manage to get the brickwork to hold long enough for it to thaw and shift like that? Or did you just not notice until it was too late?

the_sage18d ago

You could just as easily argue that whoever laid that brickwork did a lousy job in the first place. Proper drainage and a solid base should prevent most freeze-thaw problems, not let them pile up until the whole thing gives. Sometimes people overlook the basics and then act surprised when nature does its thing.