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Just read that adding too much water to a mix can cut its final strength by over 40%. Found that in an old trade manual from the 90s.
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the_faith7mo ago
Wait, that stat is for concrete, not all mixes. The old rule is about the water to cement ratio. Too much water makes concrete weak and porous. But for something like mortar or plaster, the effect is different and not always that extreme. The manual might be right for its specific product, but it's not a universal rule. You gotta check what material they're actually talking about.
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wendysanchez7mo ago
Yeah, learned that the hard way mixing mortar for a brick wall... added too much water and the joints just washed out.
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drew557mo ago
Right, exactly. It's all about the specific mix design. Saw a guy ruin a slab once by just hosing it down to make it easier to spread. Ended up with a chalky mess that crumbled in a year. That old manual is probably spot on for the cement brand and aggregate they used, but you can't take it as gospel for everything. Gotta know what you're working with.
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