and then fill in the middle? I’ve found some info online that shows building up each corner first, then filling in the middle of each row, but I just building a 7 ft. long straight wall. This example I saw showed building four walls to form a square and also used only the rectangular concrete blocks. I’m using concrete rectangular blocks and half blocks on the ends, but all speed blocks to fit around the rebar in the middle. Here’s the website with the instructions and illustrations I came across while looking for info about using a mason’s line that has caused my new dilemna.
http://www.bhg.com/bhg/story.jsp?page=2catref=cat240036storyid=/templatedata/bhg/step-by-step/data/hie_307.xml
The wall has been properly engineered and has a huge footing with a good sized key in it so don’t worry about that aspect of my project. I actually already laid the first row perfectly level and plumb, but didn’t use a mason’s line. In the middle one of the speed blocks was warped/crooked and…
I thought I had it straight and flush, but my eye must not be as good as I thought it was. The wall veered slightly to the left after that brick and bothered me so much when I looked down it that I pulled the bricks off and am going to start over. Hence my mason’s line research. I shouldn’t ignored the mason’s line part of the instructions my father-in-law gave me, especially when a mason’s line is referred to on the mortar mix bag too. I guess you live and you learn though. Thanks for your help everyone!
Also I’ve learned that the speed blocks technical name is mortarless head joint. They’re gray H shaped concrete blocks. I’m assuming that mortar on the vertical sides of the block isn’t needed because of the way they connect together and because of the name, but it would be great if anyone could verify that for me that I don’t need to apply mortar to the vertical sides.
I posted my question also on allexperts.com and got an answer from Dave Coil. It answers it all, except it doesn’t address if they should be laid from one end to the other or not. I’m pretty happy with it overall though. Here’s what he had to say.
Speed blocks are fun to lay up…fast. They are TG so mortar is not wanted, or needed. You would only need weep holes if your grade is such that the water cannot easily flow from end to end. If the grade is too low…the weep hole would be a stop gap measure to exit the water with minimal carry. That string mason line is so easy to forget…and so important when used.
Your directions are crystal clear and very helpful Talleyman. Do I lay the blocks in the manner you advised seeing that they are speed blocks and have an interlocking tongue and groove on the vertical surface of the block? I just want to be certain you have the block I’m using in mind. (H shaped cement speed block or mortarless head joint).
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I’m not a mason, but I’ve laid a cut rock retaining wall. The link you give shows exactly the same info as my references. You start at the ends/corners, and fill in. When using the string line don’t let the blocks touch the line. There is too great a chance that one of the blocks will move the line slightly and your wall will end up bowed or otherwise crooked. The string line posts should be plumb, and square to the footing. Use a ruler to measure between the string and the blocks to determine if the wall is remaining parallel to the string line.
It sounds like you already figured out your problem, and are redoing the project.
I think your making it way to complicated if your laying a straight wall. You need to use corner blocks on the ends. They have ends on them that are flush. You need to build leads on each end. Snap a chaulk line where you want the front of your wall to be. Lay your first three blocks starting with your corner block to the chalk line. Do that on both sides. Lay your next two on top of those. and then one. Use your level to plum your two on top of the three. You need line blocks that hold you string. You can use wood ones they are super cheap. Now just string across from each course and lay to the string line. Once you get your three rows filled in do it again till you get the height you want. Good luck.
You can e-mail if you have any questions.
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