Last Updated 28/07/2004

Handy Hints

Wether you are building a house or just paving a path, by following these handy hints you will save youself a lot of wasted time and money.
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• Window sizes should be ordered to suit blockwork. This will allow you to use standard size blocks that will save you both time and money.
• Keep your blocks dry before laying. Cover walls at the end of each days work to prevent moisture entering the block core.
• Articulation / Control joints must be included to allow for expansion and contraction due to day to day temperature changes and ground movement. Expansion joints should be plased no more than 6 metres apart (5 meters if rendered) unless advised otherwise by a qualified engineer.
• It is important that a Water proofing compound such as Aquapaste No.2 is added to every mix of mortar, using the recommended ratios as listed on the drum. Failure to ensure that the blocklayers strictly adhere to this will result in joints that are not totally weatherproof.
• Weep holes should be placed in every perpendicular joint just above the damp course or the slab rebate.
• The finished walls should be sealed to prevent any movement of moisture from outside to inside. The sealer should be applied to all surfaces that are exposed to the weather after they have been cleaned down.
• When estimating block quantities for a house it is a good idea to first copy the plans to graph paper at 100mm equals the smallest division on the paper.
  Then colour all the half blocks one colour, the bond beams another colour and so on. It then becomes simply a matter of counting all the blocks of one colour to work out how many of each type of blocks you require.
• When laying paving its is important to start at the bottom end of any sloped area where possible.
• When removing pavers to access underground services it can be very difficult to pry the first few pavers out. Is is often easier to break the first two with a hammer then the rest will be easy to remove. However, first ensure you have some replacement pavers to put in their place.