A DIY’er here. I’ve got a couple of old, rock face CMUs that need to get mortared into place over a lintel I’ve added to our existing CMU basement walls.
I’m in the midwest, right outside of Chicago, so “springtime” temps are all over the place.
What kind of outside temperture do I need to mortar these in and for how long?
Replies
Above freezing
Until it cures.
Warmer will cure faster.
Admixtures can help extend frost tolerance down.
Mix dry as you can use it and cover it with curing blanket.
But the CMU itself should be warmed up too. if the mortar is only 40° and it hits stome at 20°, there will be frost crystals that prevent bonding.
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Like piff said, above freezing. If it's just a couple cmus, I would leave them inside overnight, set them in the morning as soon as sun is on it (if possible), then cover with a moving blanket and plastic/tarp for overnight.
zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
Thanks to you and Piffin. I'll wait for the next sunny, 40-ish degree day and night.