On Dec 5, 11:24*pm, "Steve B" wrote:
I'm getting ready to lay some blocks. *Probably a lot of them, and quite a
few mixers full of cement. *Some low decorative walls, walkways, pavers,
bricks, etc.

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? *There may be a slight
storage problem of unused materials from batch to batch.

Other questions:

Is premixed concrete with aggregate best for first coursing? *How about cell
filling for grouting final wall?

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

What outdoor temps should block be laid at? *And will it matter if the night
time temperature is below freezing? *Down to about 20 deg. F.

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.

Steve

You can't lay blocks in freezing conditions. The cement will just go
to dust if it freezes. In light frosts it can be covered up by
night. If the blocks are frozen before you start, the cement will not
stick either.

Sand & cement premixed costs the same as cement on its own in my
experience. Hence it is a very expensive way to go and saves very
little labour.

Most cement these days has additives and needs no lime. (Lime is quite
hazardous)

If you don't know these elemntary things, you are very likely to come
seriously unstuck. You want to get a good book and start with a small
project first in suitable weather.