In message , John
writes
I have to replace the coping stones on top of a dwarf walk. The area (of
mortar) measures approx 2.4m long by 250mm wide by 20mm deep. A neighbour
tells me it is not wise to do any 'bricklaying' in this cold weather. Is he
correct or is it an old wives tale? When I have been driving around over
the last few days I have seen plenty of housebuilders working. Will it be
OK, or is there something I would need to add to the sand and cement mix? I
do not mind doing it in the cold but I don't want to redo it again if the
bond fails.

Cheers

John



Hi,

Your neighbour is generally right.

What no-body wants is the water in the mortar freezing or even
'frosting' overnight. Apparently it can significantly weaken the mortar.

Personally, given the choice, I'd leave it until better weather - but
for copings on a dwarf wall... you're not exactly building Docklands! It
should be fine.

I'd say both the builder and the neighbour are right but it has come up
on this NG in the past, that sometimes people get a little too
protective/pedantic over their own works.

Hth
--
Someone