"Home Guy" wrote in message ...
Steve B wrote:

For block laying, should I buy a quantity of sand, lime, Portland,
etc.? Or should I just go with the premixed bags at the borg?

I don't know why you think you'd need to buy lime separately.
Regardless if you're looking for cement or mortar-mix, it all comes in
one bag. Just add water, sand (and stone if you want concrete).

I don't know why I think what I think, either. It befuddles me sometimes.
So, I'm just asking what I need and trying to describe it so that more
knowledgeable people can help me out.


I'm not sure if you want to make mortar (for bricks/blocks) or concrete
- or both. I've never had the need to make mortar - if I did I'd just
as soon use the same portland cement I use to make concrete but just not
add any stone to the mix. Or I might do a little research to see if or
why real "mortar mix" is better than ordinary portland (type II) cement.

As I tried to convey in the post, I will be doing some block, some walkways,
and other work. I will use bagged concrete for all concrete work, as well
as the footer.


Other questions:

Is premixed concrete with aggregate best for first coursing?

Are these regular construction blocks - concrete masonary units? 8" x
8" x 16" ?

Yes, except where not. (Half pieces for ends, etc.)


I wouldn't think that you would want aggregate (stone) in your mortar
mix for application between blocks. Now, I don't know if you plan to
fill the space *inside* the blocks with concrete - if so then yes, we're
essentially talking now about concrete and not mortar.

Now you ah getting, Grasshoppah! Mortar for the joints, concrete for
grouting the cells solid.


How about cell filling for grouting final wall?

As mentioned before, want to fill with concrete, slightly less $$, I think.


Cell filling and grouting is two different things. I'm sure there are
books or on-line guides how to make a CMU block wall. I don't think
you're going to put aggregate in the grouting (mortar) mix. That would
just turn it into concrete. (to me, mortar or grouting is just cement
and sand. Concrete is cement, sand and stone.)

For where I live, and the exposure, I want solid concrete fill.


Lafarge makes something called "BlockSet" for this.

http://www.lafargenorthamerica.com/P...%20PBPOZZE.pdf

What should I use for a stucco covering on it?
Is that the same mortar mix, or a special stucco mix?

I think what you want is called parging mix.

What outdoor temps should block be laid at?

I would never mix or place concrete / mortar below 40f, but that's just
me. The pro's that do this have blankets and heaters or otherwise make
sure the temperature of their projects don't fall below freezing (and
ideally don't fall below 35F).

WONDERFUL. SWMBO will not be pleased, but I now have a reason to put it off
until spring when she can help, and I can spend the winter finishing my
shop. Uninterrupted. TY, TY, TY!


Curing concrete / mortar when the ambient temp is within a few degrees
of freezing is just asking for trouble. It's critical to the hydration
process that the water component in the concrete / mortar not freeze
before it completes. This is less critical for mass concrete (ie -
driveway or some other massive amount of concrete) because it gives off
it's own heat of hydration. You won't get as much heat from grouting /
mortar application.

And will it matter if the night time temperature is below
freezing? Down to about 20 deg. F.

Totally nuts. Way too cold.

I don't think there will be many complicated things about doing
the type, quality, or amount of block work I want to do. But
suggestions are welcomed.

If you're going to mix your mortar / concrete and set your blocks when
the expected temps will go below freezing, then there's no point giving
you any other advice - the mortar will probably crumble and be very weak
after it sets.

I used to be a form setter. I hated it. But at least I learned that much.


The only other advice I'd give is to use clean, dry sand, and put it
through a filter to remove organic junk and small stones. Washed "brick
sand" is what you want. Dry and filtered.

Thanks for your help. I can get mustered this winter, and get it done this
spring. I want to set some forms for stairs, etc, and this will be nice to
just get it all ready to pour a little at a time. Maybe even call in the
big truck and have him make a big pour at the shop while we're spending
money.

Steve