How long mortar dry tile

Curing happens while the mortar is drying. Thinset will go through chemical changes as it dries, which is what allows it to work properly. Curing gives the mortar the strength and durability that you want. As soon as you take dry mortar and add water, the curing process begins. Need to buy thinset mortar so you can get started on your next tiling project? By Shawn Aldridge. In Uncategorized. Read on to find out what you need to know! Thickness Matters You need to make sure your thinset is the right consistency so it will dry the way it should.

This type of mortar is commonly used for general masonry projects and to reinforce interior walls. Type O is a low strength mortar that only cures to a minimum compressive strength of psi.

It is only safe to use on non-load-bearing interiors, superficial non-structural repairs, or on soft masonry like sandstone or brownstone. Type K is the lowest strength mortar available and has a very limited purpose. It only cures to a minimum strength of 75 psi so it is primarily used for historical preservation. It is not used for anything structural or load bearing due to its low cure strength.

It will then take about 28 days to reach its final cure strength. However the curing process does not always follow a universal timeline. There are a few key environmental variables that affect your mortar cure time. Ambient temperature, air flow, the amount of water used in your mix, and humidity all affect mortar curing time.

Waiting for warm weather is not always ideal or even possible when you are adhering to a construction schedule. Using curing blankets to protect your mortar during the curing process can keep you on track and help your mortar cure to full strength. The chemical process of curing depends upon the mix staying hydrated. High winds and fans will strip your mortar of the moisture it needs to stay hydrated and cure properly.

For interior mortar work, consider turning off fans that can impede the curing process. For exterior work, you will need to make sure you protect your mortar from high winds and possibly add more moisture as it cures to reduce cracking.

Most mortar manufacturers will provide re-hydrating instructions for their particular products. Your mixture should only contain moisture in specified amounts. Too much or too little water will not only change your mortar cure time and cure strength, it will also make it difficult to work with. You may notice that the edges of the thinset or the thinset showing through the grout lines looks dry.

Don't be fooled by this. The thinset under the tiles isn't receiving as much air as the edges and is therefor not fully cured. Matt Smolsky has been writing for more than 25 years. He wrote news, sports and feature stories for the "Omaha World-Herald" and other publications and has continued on in direct marketing and general advertising. He now writes for the web as well.