Recent content by woodworksos

Hi, Is building sand the same as GP General Purpose Sand? This will be used for mixing mortar for a block wall. The builders merchants stock either GP (more gritty) or Plastering sand (smooth) in stock. Thanks

Okay thanks 👍

That's great, Thanks again you have been really helpful. I'll probably install the slate just in case I decide to plaster the wall later on. Does it have to be natural slate or is fibre slate okay to use?

Thanks again for the information. Would it also be an option to use a trench fill foundation shuttered above ground level or alternatively use high density blocks below ground level up to 150mm or install a DPC above ground level?

That's great, thank you 👍 I might double up the first few courses (430mm) then once within 1300mm just one coarse (215mm). Or alternatively just put in extra piers as suggested at 2m intervals. Thanks

Thank you for the detailed information, so just to clarify you would recommend just standard ties or wall starters at the ends. So shouldn't need the debonding ties on the ends just the middle. Also is it okay to tie in the pillars with wall ties as opposed to overlapping the blocks? This...

Does this design look okay? Would you also recommend using the debonding ties and an expansion joint when I tie the wall in to the two existing walls. Or shoul;d I just tie the walls in with standard ties? Thanks

Thank you 😊

Thank you 😊

Thank you for your advice it's very much appreciated, that makes perfect sense now. As long as I ensure the mortar and blocks aren't bone dry or saturated it should be fine. 👍😊

Thank you, I've always laid them dry in the past, however was told you need them to be moist which apparently only real block layers do! Which I thought was strange because I had never seen other block layers doing it in the past.

I'm building a garden wall and have been told to ensure the solid concrete blocks are moist before laying. Is this best practice and does it ensure a better bond. For instance like when plastering a wall? Thanks. 😊

Hello, If I put the 10mm expansion gap between the two pillars in the middle of the wall (approx 6 m either side to corners), should I just leave a 10mm gap and build up corners on each section (4 corners). Or do I need to install foam in the gap or Helical expansion joint stainless steel...