Overheard a foreman saying bricks don't need to be soaked anymore

I was on a job outside Nashville last Tuesday. This old foreman tells a new guy that modern bricks don't need wetting before laying. I've been soaking mine for 15 years on every wall. He said the mortar grabs better dry and wet bricks just slide around. Has anyone else switched to dry laying or is this guy full of it?

2 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

2 Comments

troy_gibson432mo ago

Yeah but mortar technology has changed a ton, dry bricks actually grip better now.

7

the_wesley2mo ago

Fifteen years of soaking bricks takes a hit when some foreman says it's all wrong. Saw the same thing on a job in Murfreesboro last month, guy showed up with dry bricks and I figured he was in for a mess. But that wall went up straight and tight, no sliding at all. Still feels wrong not to wet them though, like skipping a step you've done since day one.

3