Mortar for Blocks - temperature

RMS · 2 Jan 2021

Hi all

I’m looking to mortar down 21 medium dense building blocks to concrete piers (already set) in the ground for my garden building tomorrow.

Checked the weather forecast and it’s 4 degrees tomorrow and drops to 1 degree on the evening and 4 degrees then next day to 0 degree in the evening.

Do you think this presents an issue to the mortar setting?

thanks

kingandy2nd · 2 Jan 2021

2 degrees is the minimum I believe, so next couple of days won’t be any good I’m afraid.

^woody^ · 2 Jan 2021

3° and rising normally.

But "in the ground" may provide some insulation, depending on how deep.

RMS · 2 Jan 2021

The concrete is level with the ground and the concrete blocks would be sat on these laid on a bed of mortar.
I’m could have these laid in a couple hours in the morning but don’t know how long to would take for the mortar to cue and what impact the temp would have on these during the night.

temp is 4 degrees during the day but drops to 1 degree at night and then up to 4 degree the next day.

23vc · 2 Jan 2021

Surely if it’s 3-4 degrees during the day that counts as 3 degrees and rising (before it starts dropping again) then cover it up well afterwards? I was planning the same tomorrow if it doesn’t rain/snow

kingandy2nd · 3 Jan 2021

Not sure where you guys are in the country, but I’ve been working on my roof this week here in Liverpool.

I’ve had to salt my scaffolding to get rid of the ice of a morning, but by mid afternoon and it’s all freezing again...and it’s supposed to be 4 degrees here too the past couple of daytimes.

I would imagine that water in mortar may not react the same as normal h20, but equally I guess they give guidances about brick laying in cold temps a warning for a reason and laying when barely over the minimum all day is taking a chance.

23vc · 3 Jan 2021

kingandy2nd said:
Not sure where you guys are in the country, but I’ve been working on my roof this week here in Liverpool.

I’ve had to salt my scaffolding to get rid of the ice of a morning, but by mid afternoon and it’s all freezing again...and it’s supposed to be 4 degrees here too the past couple of daytimes.

I would imagine that water in mortar may not react the same as normal h20, but equally I guess they give guidances about brick laying in cold temps a warning for a reason and laying when barely over the minimum all day is taking a chance.

Tropical down here in the midlands mate

I’ll see how cold the blocks look in a bit, but agree it’s borderline. Trouble is it’s the mildest best day for about 2 weeks apparently!

^woody^ · 3 Jan 2021

A plasticiser helps deal with any potential problems around 0°c. For lower expected temps, use an accelerator or frost-proofer additive.

Or cover the work with some insulation, if practical.

Start early, after it starts to warm up.

23vc · 3 Jan 2021

I’ve got a few courses of engineering bricks to lay and some (soaking wet) 7N blocks on top. Worst combo in this weather, I’ve bottled it today. Will do it when I’ve got a chance of getting it jointed nice the same day when it’s still light

^woody^ · 3 Jan 2021

You might want to let the engineers go off before laying the blocks.

Cover the blocks or move them to a dry place to dry or unfreeze. Water may be frozen in them, even so, it will all run downwards when you come to lay them, and mess up the joints or add to the risk of freezing - a layer of ice between the mortar and block as well as frozen joints.

23vc · 3 Jan 2021

Good shout

kingandy2nd · 3 Jan 2021

Turned out to be the nicest/warmest day of the year here...although it says it’s 2 degrees now on the weather app. So not sure how much you can trust the temp

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Mortar for Blocks - temperature

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