Blocks, from which many build houses today, are elements of a regular rectangular shape. Walls and foundations are built from these building materials. The blocks have fairly good characteristics of strength, hardness, as well as a high rate of thermal conductivity, durability, resistance to wear and moisture. There are several types of blocks. According to their purpose, they are divided into wall, for arranging the foundation and thermal insulation. By design, they are full-bodied and with a cellular structure.
Already many have appreciated all the advantages of these materials, and people are worried about such an issue as laying blocks. This process is worth considering in great detail, because there are different types of blocks, and each has its own installation rules.
Material advantages
Blocks have several great advantages, and this has allowed them to become popular. So it is possiblehighlight the high speed of erection. The larger the building material, the less time it will take for the construction process. Block laying using a special technology significantly reduces the amount of cement in the process.
Geometrically correct, these materials allow you to adjust the level at maximum speed. Even if there is the slightest distortion, it will be immediately noticeable. Another major advantage is that even people who have no previous experience in building houses can build from these materials.
Construction flaws
Not every block has a comfortable weight, and not everyone is comfortable during the installation process. Reinforced concrete products are almost impossible to use without lifting devices. But even aerated concrete, foam concrete and other elements are difficult to keep on site. Most modern block building materials do not like exposure to moisture and cannot lie outdoors for long.
Preparing a mortar for laying blocks
Construction mortars have many different features. Regardless of what exactly will be used in the entire masonry, the first row is laid strictly on a cement-sand mortar. It is easy to prepare: for 1 part of cement we take 3 clean sand.
Mix for working with blocks must be stirred thoroughly. It is much more efficient to use a concrete mixer, since it is very difficult to prepare a lot of mortar by hand. To work with blocks, it is necessary to maintain uniform density at all times with the help ofstirring. First of all, a small amount of water is poured into the mixer, and then all other elements are added. The components of the solution must be mixed for about two minutes. It is very important to remember that building mixes for aerated concrete blocks, as well as any other building materials, must be used within two hours.
Sand and cement mortar
Many developers traditionally use this mixture. Blocks planted on this type of solution are a guarantee of heat loss, even if it is small. Savings on adhesive mixtures in this case, if any, are insignificant.
As for strength, it is the same in any case. If the laying of concrete blocks is carried out on a traditional mortar, then the walls will have to be insulated. When glue is applied, then insulation costs are not needed.
How to make glue
First of all, water is poured into the bucket. Then the dry mixture is poured there. All this must be mixed with a drill. It is best to do this at low speeds.
The percentage of water and dry mix can be different, it all depends on the manufacturer. So that the glue does not harden, it is better to make it in portions. You can check the correctness of preparation using a notched trowel. If the block mix is very easy to apply, and also flows freely between the teeth, and the grooves do not merge, then everything is correct.
Features of laying gas silicate blocks
These products are used for the construction of external walls, various partitions, for fillingvarious frame structures. The production of gas silicate is very high-tech, so this material has high strength characteristics, low thermal conductivity, light weight and excellent environmental friendliness.
Preparatory stage
Laying of gas silicate blocks is carried out most often on a tape type foundation. Its depth should be approximately 1.8 m. Before proceeding to the laying of the first layer, waterproofing should be performed.
Roofing material or any other rolled material can be fixed with a traditional cement-sand mortar, for the preparation of which cement and sand are mixed in a ratio of 1:3. Additionally, it is necessary to lay the solution on the roofing material. Then you can go directly to styling.
Essential block laying tool
So, you should prepare an electric drill, plastic buckets, trowels, a building level, as well as a mallet and planer. You will also need a manual, and preferably an electric one, a saw, a square for marking work, a brush, a set of drills and a grater.
Popular mounting methods
There are two methods by which the laying of gas silicate blocks can be carried out. The first method is to use a traditional solution, the second is carried out using glue. The price of the solution is at least two times lower than the cost of adhesives.
However, the cement-sand mortar is consumed 6 times more than glue. The thickness of the seam using mortar should be about 10-20 mm. This iscan provoke the appearance of "cold bridges", and then the development of mold, fungus and the accumulation of condensate. That is why many have discovered adhesive compositions. With this material, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the seam and at the same time significantly reduce heat loss.
The thickness of the adhesive layer should be only 2-3 mm, which will significantly increase the level of thermal insulation. If the laying of blocks on glue is carried out in winter, then on sale you can find products with antifreeze agents.
Technology
Because the building block has the correct shape, the process will not be difficult. But the first row should be laid very carefully. It is installed on the solution in order to maximally level the surface along the horizontal plane. To improve adhesion, the blocks are moistened.
First, the blocks are laid in the corners, and then they are aligned along the guides. After that, the rest of the elements are laid. Guides for external walls are best done before starting work. The inner walls are laid from the side.
The next layers can already be laid on the glue. The composition is also applied to the ends. Excess glue will not rub off. It needs to be removed with a hammer. You can move on to the next row only after 2 hours. During this time, the glue should seize, and shrinkage will also occur. The blocks are stacked with an offset of 8 cm. So, the next rows after the first and each next should be offset. This will increase the rigidity of the structure. If it is necessary to align the block, this can be done withthe help of a mallet. Irregularities are easily removed with a grater. If you need to cut the block, then the gas silicate lends itself perfectly to the action of the saw.
In the process, every fourth row must be reinforced - a row is grooved, and reinforcement is installed in the strobe along the entire length. Next, the row must be filled with glue or mortar. The laying of aerated concrete blocks is carried out using the same technology. There are no differences here.
Building with ceramic elements
This block is a microporous stone, the side faces of which are corrugated. The size of one element is larger than traditional brick, which significantly reduces construction time.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the advantages are high environmental performance and the ability to carry out work on their own without inviting professionals. Ceramic blocks have high energy-saving characteristics throughout their entire service life. Also, these materials are characterized by high strength, incombustibility.
The disadvantages include high price, as well as fragility during transportation. There is also a lack of professional builders who actually know what laying ceramic blocks is.
Technology of work
Before starting the process, the first step is to waterproof the foundation. The mixture is applied across the entire width of the wall and try to prevent the formation of voids. The first block is laid from the corner. Cement-sand mortar is used only for the first layer.
The process is greatly facilitated by the presence on thisbuilding material of tongue-and-groove joints. This helps to fix the blocks on a vertical plane. A rubber mallet is used to fit. Such a tool is enough to eliminate chips and adjust the level. As you can see, the laying of blocks, whatever they may be, is not much different from working with bricks. Unless the materials used for manufacturing are different.
How to build a house from expanded clay concrete
This building material has been used for more than half a century. The process of laying the walls of houses from this material is not particularly complicated. Even beginners will cope with it, however, it is necessary to take into account the features of expanded clay concrete and follow the technology.
Composition and types of block data
Materials are produced by pressing a mixture of expanded clay, as well as sand, water and cement. The building material is safe, environmentally friendly and ideal for walls. The blocks have a porous structure, they are light and have high thermal insulation characteristics.
These elements may differ in shape and size - in most cases it depends on the specific manufacturer. Products intended for walls can be both full-bodied and hollow. Cavities also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the application.
Work technology
Laying expanded clay blocks can be done in various ways. The choice of a suitable one depends on the desired thickness, the presence of insulation, the type of wall cladding. So, it can be laid in half a block, one element wide with dressing, 60 cm wide with dressing and voids, twowalls. Whatever the method, you must strictly follow all the rules. The basement of the foundation should be as flat as possible with waterproofing in two blocks.
The process of laying these building materials is not much different from all the others. Here, too, the first block is laid from the corner. A solution up to three centimeters thick is placed directly on the waterproofing material. The position of the block must be strictly controlled by the building and water levels.
A cord is pulled between the blocks in the corners and the first row is already laid along it. The process must be performed strictly on a solution of sand and cement. Next comes the second row with dressing and strict control along the vertical plane. The second and subsequent rows can be planted on adhesives.
Simultaneously with the masonry, it is necessary to reinforce the outer and inner walls. This procedure is carried out for every third or fourth row. For this, fittings with a diameter of 8-10 millimeters are most suitable. Sometimes a grid can be used instead. The reinforcement is laid in strobes - they can be ready, or they will have to be made using a grinder. After laying the reinforcement, the strobe is filled with cement mortar.
Conclusion
This is how the laying of aerated concrete blocks is done by hand. As you can see, it's really not that difficult. It is enough to strictly follow the technology, follow all the above recommendations, and then you will definitely succeed.
