On 12/5/2011 5:24 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




Steve, you have multiple choices for mortar. Traditional is equal parts
Portland and lime to 5 parts sand, a bit easier would be to use
mortar/masonry cement and sand (the lime is already blended with the
Portland) available as type S or type N, or mortar mix which has the
Portland, lime, and sand already in the bag. All reinforcing cells both
horizontal and vertical should be done with real concrete - sand,
Portland, and gravel NOT masonry cement.

You might want to consider another method: dry stack the block, use
concrete to create the slushed cells, and use QuickWall for the bond and
the finish:
http://www.quikrete.com/productlines...dingCement.asp

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Keep the whole world singing . . .
Dan G