Laying blocks.

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Laying blocks.
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Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Thu May 11, 06 9:19 am Post subject: Laying blocks.
No, not a constipated chicken, but breeze blocks. I'm building a few raised beds for herbs and such, and someone's nicked my DIY book. Can anyone tell me what cement to sand ratio I should use for block laying mortar and how much cement I need for a square metre of blocks, please? Ta.

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Thu May 11, 06 9:21 am Post subject:
ooh, good thread. I'm trying to summon the time and energy to put some shallow terraces across my sloping garden and also will probably be using breezeblock. So I'm interested too!

pricey

Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Posts: 6444

Posted: Thu May 11, 06 9:27 am Post subject:
I always use 6 to 2, weather they are concrete or thermo's, this always gives a good solid bond, don't forget the feb mix ( fairy liquid will do. As for how much per ? I just add the blocks and think 10 bags cement, 1/2 ton of sand, sorry I cant help more on that but someone will.

Northern_Lad

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 14210
Location: Somewhere

Posted: Thu May 11, 06 9:30 am Post subject:
You mean there's ratios and things? I just buy bags of instant motar and go for it - if I need more I go back; never ended up with too much.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Thu May 11, 06 9:33 am Post subject:
Doesn't instant mortar work out far more expensive, or is the price so low it's irrelevant?

Northern_Lad

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 14210
Location: Somewhere

Posted: Thu May 11, 06 9:36 am Post subject:

nickhowe wrote:

Doesn't instant mortar work out far more expensive, or is the price so low it's irrelevant?

I does, but I usually only use 4 or 5 bags at a time, and I don't have much space to be mixing stuff in.
I also meant ready-mix, rather then instant.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Thu May 11, 06 9:57 am Post subject:
https://www.borpin.co.uk/sbfaq/faq51041.htm#Heading102 All my answers at once. Sally, what's your excuse now? In fact, that link's homepage appears to be a useful guide for self-builders. I haven't studied it much, but...

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Thu May 11, 06 11:06 am Post subject:

nickhowe wrote:

Sally, what's your excuse now?

...

Is knitting frenzy an excuse? Mostly I need to find a week that I can take off and simultaneously bribe a few friends to come play by offering vast amounts of food and homebrew! (any volunteers?)

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Thu May 11, 06 11:08 am Post subject:

pricey wrote:

I always use 6 to 2

Thats 3 of building sand to 1 of cement? Isn't that a bit strong, I thought a mix of 6 to 1 or 5 to 1 was used for brick laying?

Bernie66

Joined: 14 Jan 2005
Posts: 13967
Location: Eastoft

Posted: Thu May 11, 06 11:10 am Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

pricey wrote:

I always use 6 to 2

Thats 3 of building sand to 1 of cement? Isn't that a bit strong, I thought a mix of 6 to 1 or 5 to 1 was used for brick laying?

Five to one is what I would go for, not too sure whether its correct in building terms. And it might need to be stronger if you are supporting earth in raised beds I guess.

Jonnyboy

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 23956
Location: under some rain.

Posted: Thu May 11, 06 11:15 am Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

pricey wrote:

I always use 6 to 2

Thats 3 of building sand to 1 of cement? Isn't that a bit strong, I thought a mix of 6 to 1 or 5 to 1 was used for brick laying?

3:1 for your founds, 6:1 for your walls

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Thu May 11, 06 11:20 am Post subject:
I spose a raised bed is like foundations so 3:1 then. Anyone used lime in the mix, 6:1:1?

Northern_Lad

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 14210
Location: Somewhere

Posted: Thu May 11, 06 11:23 am Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

I spose a raised bed is like foundations so 3:1 then.

Anyone used lime in the mix, 6:1:1?

You offering to supply some?

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Thu May 11, 06 11:30 am Post subject:

Northern_Lad wrote:

Treacodactyl wrote:

I spose a raised bed is like foundations so 3:1 then.

Anyone used lime in the mix, 6:1:1?

You offering to supply some?

I would have to burn the chalk to make the lime. I've used building lime and it makes the mortar easier to work with and, I gather, the walls better able to cope with slight movement.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46240
Location: yes

Posted: Thu May 11, 06 6:43 pm Post subject:

i would use 6:1 good bricklaying sand and portland cement as it has good frost resistance .lime is unneccessary with that mix for blocklaying outside and feb or washing up liquid can make the mortar far too plastic (ie the wall squashes out its mortar with its own weight as you try to lay blocks )cut most of your halves (or quints ) before you mix so as to get a through run of laying without stopping to re start the 12" disc saw .careful with them they can bite .
string and level make tradesmen good .practice makes them fast so smallish mixes and take your time . mortar is only really at its best for about half an hour .
there are really good "systems" that make the job a bit like lego but i think they are quite dear .
put ties in especially the corners .
and remember to wet your blocks and to wet down( or cover in wet sacking ) your walls for a week or two . cement mortar only sets properly when it is wet ,if it drys before it sets it is just dirty sand .
my favourite tip is "make sure someone knows how to mix good mortar "
for shovel mixing ,on a plastic spot or 8x4 board ;
thouroughly dry mix the sand and cement then add water (with maybe a drop of washing up liquid per bucket) to a hole in the middle of the heap and then wet mixing by circling the heap ,turning a few shovelfuls into the wet crater and then cutting them until i have been round the heap ,then turning and shaking out for another circle and then in again .
add more water during this process until a "high peak "is left when your tool leaves the mix .( practice )
repeat until mixed .
have a brew .(5 mins )
cut, turn and cut again
then "knock up " to remove the air bubbles,( push it about on a board )
now its ready .
wet cement is quite caustic so barrier creme and good h n s practice is worthwhile . keep an eyewash bottle handy .
i love the smell of wet mortar in the mornings , it smells of , nearly breakfast time

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