Another mortar question .

[interguglielmi]

Hello everybody , is was just curious if any one can tell me if it's normal that the mortar is cracking a little bit when it is still wet. Ok ok hold on I need to explain, I'm using the poor mans mix of fireclay, sand, portland, n lime. I am soaking my bricks for about 5. Well when I am laying the brick for the dome I notice after about 20 min there are little hairline crack vertically along the brick. Could I have moved them not knowing ? Is my mix to dry or to wet? Just not sure anyone know if it's normal. Thanks a bunch. - Leo

[Les]

Usually it's a sign of being too wet.

[egalecki]

Be sure to soak your bricks until they stop bubbling too. That way your mortar can be a bit drier- you won't have to hydrate the bricks with it!

Mortar should be sort of like peanut butter.

[interguglielmi]

Thank u well will it be a problem so far.? I did 3 rows of the dome. Only saw a few little splits like these. And yes I soak the brick for about 5. So should I be worried?

[Les]

NO. Small cracks have not been an issue (don't know if large ones have been an issue). I suggest you cover it with the FB blanket and I think you will be good.

Les...

[gjbingham]

You can always buy a striking tool for about $5 and tool the mortar joints about 45 or so minutes after you set the bricks. That will rebond the mortar to the adjacent bricks if it has pulled away and close any small cracks in the middle of the mortar joint.

[interguglielmi]

thank u everyone for your advice