I used to think a 10mm joint was fine for any brick in my area

A guy I work with in Toledo kept telling me to use a 12mm joint for the older, softer bricks we get up here. I thought he was just being picky until I saw a wall I did last fall with 10mm joints start to weep water after a hard rain. The wider joint let the mortar lock in better and shed water. Has anyone else had to change their joint size for local brick types?

2 comments

2 Comments

jennifercooper7d ago

My uncle swore by adding a dash of lime to his mix for old Chicago brick.

the_jake7d ago

Honestly that tracks, my grandpa always said the same thing about his mortar mix. Swore it made everything set harder and last way longer. Tbh I've tried it on small jobs and it really does seem to help.