In connection with the upward trend in utility bills in the housing and communal services sector, many of our fellow citizens are thinking about arranging their own private dwelling on earth. Naturally, many people have a question about how it is more economical to build this very home for their own budget, so that it is comfortable, convenient, affordable, and, moreover, there was no need to get into hopeless bank loans.
The most affordable building material is cinder blocks. Is it possible to make cinder blocks at home? Certainly! Everything that is needed for this is usually available to many: cement, water, filler.
So what do we mean by filler? It includes slag, expanded clay, gypsum, crushed stone, screening of crushed stone, gravel, sawdust, brick waste (otherwise called "fireclay"), perlite, ash, and more.
The biggest mistake of many who start making cinder blocks with their own hands is that in order to save time, formwork is quickly knocked out of the boards, the solution is poured in, and when the lower layer hardens, they move higher. With such a filling, there are no voids inside the walls, which, as wewe know are necessary for better thermal insulation. As a result, in winter, such houses, garages or any other buildings freeze through.
So, if we love ourselves or our "iron horses", and we will save heat energy inside the constructed premises, then let's make it a rule: the production of cinder blocks should be carried out with voids. First, it will be warmer; secondly, the solution itself will need less than the same size, but without voids. Solid blocks are suitable only for laying the foundation. I think it sounds convincing.
You can buy an inexpensive Vibromaster type machine, or you can make the mold for the blocks yourself. The manufacture of cinder blocks with voids is elementary: you can use ordinary bottles, of which a huge amount is thrown into landfills. Forms should be without bottoms, upholstered from the inside with either metal plates or plastic. A blank former is made equal to the perimeter of the mold without bottoms.
The next important step is the preparation of the mixture. You can compose scientifically. Or maybe by eye. The most optimal ratio of cement: 1 to 8 or 1 to 9. You need enough water to make the mortar hard.
First we put the blank former, then we put the form on top, which we subsequently fill with the solution. We tamp well. We turn over. Block ready.
We were all children, and we remember well how we played in the sandbox. They also filled the molds with wet sand, and then turned them over. The form was carefully removed, and the form of sand repeatedthe chosen plastic figure. The production of cinder blocks is carried out according to the same principle. A lot of water - it won’t work - it will corrode, a little - it will fall apart, we will tamp it poorly - the solution will not completely repeat the shape.
And finally. Do not forget that the cement will finally harden only after 28-30 days. When making at home, it is desirable to add a plasticizer to the mixture in an amount of 5 mg per block. This will give plasticity to the entire mortar. Do not forget that when laying such blocks, you need to lay them with voids down.
