On 5/22/2013 6:05 AM, wrote:
On Tue, 21 May 2013 22:48:29 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

On Tue, 21 May 2013 20:04:18 -0500, wrote:

How many bags of mortar do I need per number of 8x8x16 concrete blocks?

I want to build a small basement, know the number of blocks I will need
(around 800), but dont know how to determine the amount of mortar. I
intend to buy raw mortar and add my own sand. I'll just buy a truckload
of sand, which I assume should be more than enough, but how do I
determine the number of bags of mortar? This is a rural area and I have
to drive 55 miles to get it at a reasonable price, so I want to be sure
I have enough. I refuse to buy it locally and pay their outrageous
ripoff prices (for example, the blocks at the building center 55 miles
away are $.89 each, locally, they are $2.40 each).

Thanks


There are blocks and there are blocks. Be sure you are comparing the
same block when comparing prices.
Hauling those blocks 55 miles can be costly too.

You should get about 28 to 40 block per bag.

Instead of block, why not pour a concrete foundation with the
insulation? Set up the ICF's yourself, get some reddi-mix and you are
done. Save a bundle on energy.

In fact, why not build the entire house that way and it is pretty
tornado and hurricane resistant too.

www.integraspec.com
www.standardicf.net
and many others.

I already checked into a poured foundation. The cost is 5 to 6 times as
much as block. I've built with block, not an entire basement, but I've
done the work. It's just one of those things where I'll build a little
every day. There is no huge rush. As far as hauling them, I have
access to a large heavy duty trailer that should handle about 350
blocks, considering the weight of about 40lbs per block. That's three
trips (one with the mortar). I go there every few weeks anyhow, so the
cost of gas wont be all that much more.

The blocks sold locally are from the same company as the much cheaper
ones. In fact someone told me the local place that charges outrageous
prices gets them from the cheaper place 55 miles away. I dont doubt
that at all.

No, I wont buy premixed mortar. Why pay the premium price to have the
sand included, then have to haul the (sand) all that distance. Not to
mention that all premixed concrete products are always weak. Meaning
that whenever I've ever bought premixed concrete, it makes a weak
sidewalk, because there is not enough portland cement added. I'ver
always added more if I'm making a sidewalk or something other than
setting fence posts. I own a cement mixer, so adding sand and mortar is
no big deal, in face having to rip open all those bags seems tedious
compared to just shoveling in sand from a pile and adding a bag of
mortar.



Will you have a helper? Estimated time to completion? It's a damn lot
of heavy lifting )