I am setting 12 X12 glazed ceramic tile on my basement's concrete
floor. I have been using premixed mortar from a big box store,
applied with a notched trowel the way you're supposed to. I have a
few questions, all stemming from the fact that the mortar is not
setting up as fast as I thought it would. The mortar on tiles I set a
week ago is still soft!

1. The basement is damp, but not wet - is this normal? Will it
harden eventually? Is there something I can/should do to speed it
up? When I say damp, I mean the floor generally appears dry, with
maybe a little visible dampness or seepage in the corners after a
heavy rain. Mortar that is in a very thin layer - like where I wiped
up along the edge where I stopped working, leaving a very thin layer -
that dries out and sets fine.

2. Do I have to wait for the mortar to harden before grouting?

3. Would it be different if I used the dry stuff instead of the
premix? I was thinking of switching to the dry mix anyway to save
money.

thanks in advance, -- H