Mortar dried too fast in July heat, now the wall looks like patchwork

We started a garden wall at 7am last Tuesday and by noon the mix was flash setting before I could even tool the joints. The client's property is a fully exposed south facing yard in Phoenix, no shade anywhere. I had to bust out three courses and redo them, cost me almost a full day and an extra 4 bags of type S. My apprentice keeps saying we should have added a retarder but I never use the stuff. Has anyone else had luck with that or do you just adjust your water and work faster?

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1 Comment

allen.amy18d ago

Retarder is worth keeping on the truck for days like that. I mix a little in when it's over 100 and it buys me the time to finish joints without racing. Your apprentice had the right idea, no shame in using it.