Concrete Block (Laying)

[nkhan]

I am in the process of having a outbuilding built and noticed a couple of things my builder is doing and have to ask the question.

The blocks are being laid and they are in line with each, each row is a different.....I hope you understand what I mean and will this affect the structure in the future bearing in mind it will be rendered.

Secondly, they was using a heavier block for the outside wall and the lighter block for the inner wall and towards the end of the day they ran out of the heavier and started using the lighter block on the outside aswell towards the top of the walls.

Am I just overthinking this?
Sorry I have to ask.

 

[stuart45]

Put a photo of the work on.

 

[nkhan]

Put a photo of the work on.

Will take 1 now, never thought of that

 

[nkhan]

Images attached

 

[stuart45]

Am I just overthinking this?
Sorry I have to ask.

You might need Wyatt Earp with you when you confront them tomorrow.

 

[tomfe]

It's amature work but structurally I think you'll find there'll be nothing wrong with it.
I hope you got a good price.

 

[nkhan]

You might need Wyatt Earp with you when you confront them tomorrow.

Thanks, I have already asked them about each row being different and they said it’s ok as it going to get rendered.

I always thought every other row would be in line like your house bricks.

 

[nkhan]

It's amature work but structurally I think you'll find there'll be nothing wrong with it.
I hope you got a good price.

My exact thoughts, the sides the builder done himself are fine and his worker/helper was doing the others and was like what are you doing. Not hard to line up if you cutting a brick anyway.

If it’s structural sound I can’t complain as it will rendered and I’m having bricks at the front.

Is it ok to mix and match different block as they are doing it and they did that with a couple of blocks, don’t have a picture right now as it is covered

 

[tomfe]

Is it ok to mix and match different block

The trouble with building with different blocks is that they can expand contract at different rates so can cause cracking, if you are getting the outside rendered consider getting them to put in some fiber glass mesh (it's only £25 per 50m2).

 

[nkhan]

The trouble with building with different blocks is that they can expand contract at different rates so can cause cracking, if you are getting the outside rendered consider getting them to put in some fiber glass mesh (it's only £25 per 50m2).

My concern was they are starting to use the lighter block on the outside which is the heavier block

Do you suggest I ask them to remove the 4 or 5 they have put on and get the rights ones and I don’t want to problems in a few years

Will defo see if they use fibre glass mesh when rendering

 

[pilsbury]

How quick did they put that up? As others have said, that ain’t the work of a seasoned pro.... especially the bit where they seem to have used blocks of different size and mars bar jointed it to level it up.

But, as long as it’s straight and plumb it won’t show. I’m using render on mine to hide a multitude of sins. But I did it, it’s my house and it was my first time. Just like it seems it’s this blokes.

 

[tomfe]

I don't think you'll have any problems heavy blocks are normally less expensive than lights so they used in the outer skins of insulated cavity walls where thermal performance is not so important. They could have built the whole thing out of ether of them.

 

[nkhan]

How quick did they put that up? As others have said, that ain’t the work of a seasoned pro.... especially the bit where they seem to have used blocks of different size and mars bar jointed it to level it up.

But, as long as it’s straight and plumb it won’t show. I’m using render on mine to hide a multitude of sins. But I did it, it’s my house and it was my first time. Just like it seems it’s this blokes.

These guys have done loads of extensions and been doing it for years.
Admitted he was waiting on a brickie and he kept letting him down and decided to do it himself and got someone else in who he doesn’t normally use.

I see what you mean about the mars bar effect, I did mention that to them as some of the block seems smaller and they said don’t worry as this is normal.

Strange as all the blocks come together from the same place.

This has taken 2 days so far!

 

[nkhan]

I don't think you'll have any problems heavy blocks are normally less expensive than lights so they used in the outer skins of insulated cavity walls where thermal performance is not so important. They could have built the whole thing out of ether of them.

Thanks mate, I’m trying avoid problems later as he last thing you want after investing money into a project and it failing apart in a few years

 

[^woody^]

YE HAH. SADDLE UP BOYS.

That's crap about "it won't matter because it's rendered". It will crack so much easier when it moves either under load or seasonally.

And mixing different materials massively increases cracking due to thermal movement.

The builder will have rode off into the sunset by then.

Get the sheriff out.