Q&A for How to Lay Concrete Blocks

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Question

How do I clean my tools after mixing the mortar?

Gerber Ortiz-Vega
Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC
Gerber Ortiz-Vega is a Masonry Specialist and the Founder of GO Masonry LLC, a masonry company based in Northern Virginia. Gerber specializes in providing brick and stone laying services, concrete installations, and masonry repairs. Gerber has over four years of experience running GO Masonry and over ten years of general masonry work experience. He earned a BA in Marketing from the University of Mary Washington in 2017.

Gerber Ortiz-Vega

Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC

Expert Answer

Scrub them with water and a wire brush until all of the mixture is off of them. Make sure you clean them immediately after you're finished using them so the mortar doesn't dry.

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Question

I'm doing a straight cinder block wall (3 high) dividing property. Do I need reinforcement rods? Can I just lay cinder blocks in the ground first, then use mortar with 2 layers of remaining?

Community Answer

Only do that if you want the wall to sink in the ground. You need a footing to support the wall.

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Question

How do I lay a 45 degree corner?

Community Answer

Cut the corners with a concrete cutting saw at a 22.5 degree angle, using a diamond blade. Don't forget to use a mask so that you don't choke from concrete dust inhalation.

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Question

In building a retaining wall, how do I transfer the lateral load from the block wall to the footing?

Community Answer

When building the footing, cut a 2 x 4 on an angle along both sides so as to make a V shape, so the top of the 2x4 is 3.5" and the bottom is about 1.5". Then insert the 2 x 4 with the 1.5" side face down in the center of the top of the footing, making a notch in the top of the concrete when you remove the 2 x 4. This will transfer the lateral load of the block wall to the footing.

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Question

Can I render over a limestone block wall?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. I have done it before. Make sure blocks are even it plays a key role in the render process.

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Question

Should I fill the cores with mortar as I go, or should I wait and fill them with grout when the wall is finished?

Community Answer

The mortar needs to be uncured for new mortar to bond to it. If you fill as you go, you are defeating the purpose since you want a monolithic core binding all the block layers together.

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Question

If I need a 3' foot raised block wall above a grade for a concrete slab porch, how deep below the grade must my footing be?

Community Answer

The top of your footer needs to be below the frost line for your area.

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Question

Why should concrete blocks be kept dry before laying it?

Community Answer

If they're wet, no use calling them blocks.The concrete will stick together, just making a solid wall, no blocks.

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Question

How do I fill in concrete blocks? What materials should I use?

Community Answer

Assuming you are talking about the cores with rod in them, use concrete mix (or redi mix). Make it a little on the wet side so it will go down the holes easier.

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Question

When I lay the blocks, should I lay them with the open side up or down?

Community Answer

If I'm imagining your question correctly, being whether you lay the blocks with the "open holes being vertical (look towards the ground and see the holes)" or with the "open holes facing horizontally (looking straight ahead and seeing the holes)", I have seen them laid both ways. This article states to lay the holes vertically. The only reason I could see to lay them horizontally would be for cosmetic purposes so you can see through them but laying them horizontally will not keep out rain, critters, wind or anything else that could fit through the holes. Storage sheds, houses and retaining walls will most likely be laid with the holes facing vertically, as this article states to lay them.

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Question

How much does it cost per square foot of concrete blocks?

Community Answer

There are square footage calculators on the internet that may help you with this question. By inputting the price of blocks in my area at $1.65 for an 8"X8"X16" block for a quantity of 1 block the cost comes out to be $1.45 per square foot.

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Question

I'm considering using 4 x 8 x 16 inch cider blocks to make a 4 foot high retaining wall. Would there be any problems with using 4 inch wide blocks?

Community Answer

The pressure from the wall would more than likely cause it to fail. I would recommend your water be diverted or be made to go over top of the wall. Also, you should back fill with as much as gravel as possible.

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