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Tried a 3/8 inch joint on a brick mailbox and it actually held up better.
Everyone on my crew swears by a 1/2 inch joint for everything, but I used a 3/8 inch bed on a mailbox rebuild in Springfield last month. The tighter joint used less mortar and the whole thing felt more solid, with less slumping during the set. Am I crazy, or has anyone else had good luck going tighter on small jobs?
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charles4426mo ago
Switched to 3/8 on all my garden walls and mailbox posts years ago. You get a cleaner line and less waste. The key is using a stiffer mortar mix so it doesn't slump out of the tighter joint. Your crew is just stuck in their ways.
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nancythomas5mo ago
Honestly I've seen 3/8 joints crack way more often on anything outside. That stiffer mix doesn't move with the freeze and thaw. Tbh a half inch joint gives it room to breathe and flex. My old boss swore by it for lasting longer in tough weather. Clean lines are nice but not if the wall fails in a few seasons.
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nancythomas5mo ago
Nah, I'll stick with the wider joint for durability.
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