PSA: My kitchen backsplash tile job in Austin went sideways when the thinset dried too fast

I was about halfway through setting these 3x6 subway tiles last Saturday when I noticed the mix in my bucket was getting crumbly... it was only 90 minutes in, but the Texas heat just sucked the moisture right out. I had to scrape off a whole section, clean the tiles, and remix a smaller batch, which set me back almost 4 hours. Has anyone else found a good trick for working with mortar in hot, dry weather besides just mixing less at a time?

3 comments

3 Comments

tessa92219d ago

Been there, done that in Phoenix. I started mixing my thinset with ice water on really hot days. It buys you a little extra working time before it turns to concrete in the bucket. Lost a whole afternoon once learning that lesson.

shane_anderson19d ago

Makes me wonder if the type of bucket matters too. A black plastic bucket sitting in direct sun will cook your mix way faster than a white one. I've even seen guys wrap wet towels around the bucket to keep it cool. What about mixing smaller batches more often, even though it's a pain?

eva_rivera18d ago

Shane_anderson is right about the bucket color.