How to Set Cement Blocks
Virtually all masonry walls rest on a foundation. These are called footers or concrete slabs. This foundation must be solid and clean for the block or brick wall to attach itself to it and it must be level. When using cement blocks a specific process must be followed.
Items you will need:
- Block sand
- Type “N” mortar
- Concrete blocks
- Masonry trowel
- Nylon string
- 5 gallon bucket
- 4-foot level
- Wheelbarrow
- Mix the mortar in the wheelbarrow first. Place ½ sack of the “N” mortar, 8 shovels of sand and 3 gallons of water in the wheelbarrow. Stir the mixture together as you add the materials. Mix until you have a texture that is slightly dryer than pancake batter would be for pancakes.
- Begin with the wall ends first. Place the mortar in two 2-inch-wide beds that are as wide as your blocks. Put the blocks into the mortar beds and mortar the end of each block as you lay it in the bed. These blocks will adhere to one another as they are laid into the bed. Place about five blocks in the bed length-wise.
- Use the level to plumb the outside of the blocks and keep them level as you proceed. Spread mortar on top of these blocks and lay the next row of block on top remembering to stagger the block joints as you go up. Your next row will be four and then five until you reach the top of the wall.
- Repeat this process at the other end of the wall. As you do each row make certain with the nylon string and the level that your wall is level and plumb also. When this end is completed fill in between the two ends with blocks and mortar to complete your wall. Be certain you check for being level and plumb as you go.