Switched to a 3/8 inch notch trowel for my fireplace project and it was a total accident

I grabbed the wrong trowel out of my truck last week when I was laying firebrick for a customer's hearth remodel. Didn't even notice until I was halfway through the first row and the mortar was squishing out way more than normal. Turns out the bigger notch gave me way better coverage on the rough brick surface and the whole thing locked in solid. Has anyone else ever used a bigger notch than recommended and gotten better results?

3 comments

3 Comments

paulw531mo ago

Used to think exact notch size was super important but you just changed my mind on that. Makes sense that rougher surfaces would want more mortar for a good bond.

hugos461mo ago

Good chance you're overthinking it still. I've slapped tile on with a 1/4" notch and a 3/8" notch and couldn't tell you which was which after it dried.

irisowens1mo ago

Wait, you're telling me you actually couldn't tell the difference between a 1/4" and 3/8" notch after it dried, @hugos46? That's wild, I'd be paranoid about lippage for weeks if I went that blind.