An Abandoned Critical Proceedure

In the Summer time it is important that brick be near saturation point when installed. A hot dry brick will absorb the moisture from the mortar prematurely. Mortar curing is intended to be a chemical process rather than the result of absorption or evaporation. This not only weakens the strength of the mortar but compromises the bond between the brick and mortar. For this reason, it is also prudent to keep masonry damp for days after installation.

Fortunately, most masonry in today’s construction is cosmetic and not structural so these considerations are not as critical as they once were.