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Posted by on August 22, 2007, 9:52 am
On Aug 22, 7:13 am, spamb...@milmac.com (Doug Miller) wrote:
> >A few years ago, I bought a bag of mortar mix to
> >make some small repairs around the house.
>
> >After using a small amount, I stored the bag on a shelf in my
> >garage over the winter. The bag never came in contact with
> >my cement garage floor. I used some the next spring, only to
> >discover it went bad. It mixed and applied as usual, but when
> >cured, it just rubbed off with my finger.
>
> Yep -- absorbed water vapor from the air, reacted with it, and now it won't
> set. Completely normal.
>
>
>
> >So last spring, I bought another bag, and again I used a small amount.
> >But this time time after opening the bag, I poured the remaining mix into
> >a clean and dry 5 gallon plastic bucket with a tight lid. This time I stored
> >it in my basement over the winter (heated).
>
> >I just mixed another small batch, only to discover it has gone bad again.
> >It was not clumped together it seemed the same as when it was in the bag
> >It never got hard or anything like that.
> >Is mortar that sensitive? I didn't notice an expiration date.
> >What can I do to make it last longer ?
>
> Use a bucket with an airtight lid next time -- it seems that the lid on your
> bucket isn't quite as tight as you thought it was.
>
> Or buy it in smaller bags, since you're only using it in small amounts. It's
> not like the stuff is all that expensive, you know, and it doesn't appear that
> you use it often enough to be actually saving any money by buying it in bulk.
>
>
>
> >Please help me to understand about mortar mix.
>
> Mortar, plaster, and concrete cure by chemical reaction with water. This
> includes water vapor in the air. Once the reaction has taken place, it can't
> take place a second time -- thus, mortar stored in moist or humid conditions
> will become unusable, often in a matter of only a few weeks. The key to
> preserving it is to keep it dry.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
>
> It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.
You could also put one of those damp remover dessicant widgets in the
bucket. That's what I do with grass seed.
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