Every year there is an increase in the popularity of such a technique as cinder block masonry. The material used belongs to the budget category, but it has decent technical properties, which makes it possible to erect both auxiliary buildings and residential buildings. There is no need to hire a team of workers, since the installation process is quite simple, so you can save a family budget and try your hand at construction.
Description
The material was given the name of the previously used basis for manufacturing - ash, slag and other combustion products. But today, such fillers as sawdust, broken brick, expanded clay, crushed stone with a small fraction are mainly used, due to the fact that slag-based blocks have insufficient strength and a significant degree of water absorption. It is also often practiced to build a house from cinder block, which is made independently on a personal site. But its use is more rational for the creation of farm buildings due to the fact that materials for residential buildings have established environmental safety rules, which the cinder block does not meet.
Manufacture
To form products, slag and cement are used, followed by pressing and drying. They gained wide distribution precisely due to available technology and budget materials, in the end we get cinder block, the price per unit of which becomes minimal.
The manufacturing process consists of three stages - mixing the ingredients, filling in pre-prepared forms and hardening. As noted above, the basis is combustion waste, water and a binder component. To increase operational characteristics crushed stone, expanded clay, gravel are added, they can also completely replace slag.
A cinder block, the price per unit of which starts at 40 rubles, should have standard dimensions, despite the extensive range of characteristics that the used fillers add.
Classification
The material is divided into several types depending on the presence or absence of voids. Monolithic are blocks of one-piece construction that do not have internal empty spaces. They are characterized by a high degree of strength, but at the same time insufficient thermal insulation properties and high weight. The most popular products are those with a void index of 30%. They have medium strength and heat-conducting characteristics.
With an increase in voidness of up to 40%, an increase in heat capacity is noted with a simultaneous decrease in strength, compared with other types.
Cinder block masonry: advantages and disadvantages
Low price is the main advantage of building material. It is also worth noting the possibility of independent production and installation technology, which everyone can handle. Despite this, there are a lot of negative sides. The blocks do not tolerate the influence of environmental factors - temperature extremes and precipitation, have low strength and degree of sound insulation, insufficient resistance to frost.
As already noted above, this material is not the best option for the construction of a residential building due to low environmental properties. Before laying the cinder block with your own hands, you need to determine the type of product, depending on the required characteristics.
What to look for
Many are puzzled by the question of wall thickness. It is primarily influenced by the climatic conditions of the construction site and the purpose of the future construction.
It is necessary to prepare tools in advance, among which there should be a device for mixing the mortar, a circular saw, a hammer, a plumb line and a level. Materials will also require a mesh for reinforcement or metal rods, sand and cement.
Masonry cinder block has similarities with the installation of a familiar brick and is most often performed in 2, 1,5 and 1 block. When choosing a technique, it is worth remembering that the structure becomes warmer with increasing thickness of wall structures, as this increases the thermal insulation characteristics. But at the same time, more burden is placed on the foundation and additional expenses appear. The optimal wall thickness for a building with one floor is 1 block.
Foundation
Arranging a quality foundation is the first step to create a reliable masonry. As with any other construction, its choice depends on the depth of the groundwater and the general appearance of the soil on the selected site. The reinforced concrete monolithic base is optimally suited for heaving complex soil.
The cinder block slab foundation is an excellent option for stable soil, given the low groundwater location. It is distinguished by the possibility of independent arrangement, without the use of expensive tools and rental of special equipment. It should be borne in mind that the width of future walls should be slightly less than the width of the base. For pouring, a composition of sand, cement and gravel can also be used.
Protection of the material from moisture is achieved by installing a waterproofing coating mounted on a concrete base after final solidification; it may be a roofing material.
Solution
The solution for laying cinder block can be done independently or purchased ready-made version in a specialized store. Due to the high cost of dry formulations, many prefer the first option. The basis of the masonry mass is sand and cement. By adding plasticizing compounds it is possible to increase resistance to frost and ductility. The finished solution, with proper preparation, must have a viscous structure and a small degree of spreading during work.
Progress
The laying of cinder block with your own hands, as well as other building materials, starts from the corners. Particular care is required here, since the reliability of wall structures directly depends on the proper exposure of all angles. At first, a little mass is laid on them, which is leveled with a trowel. Next, two blocks are mounted in compliance with the right angle, then another one, while you need to remember about dressing the seams.
Similar actions occur with other angles. Do not forget about the systematic verification of the vertical and horizontal level using a plumb and a special device for measuring.
When isolating any part from the general structure, it is corrected by light tapping with a trowel. As a guideline during the installation of the main row, a cord acts on the nails that are driven in the seam between the lower and upper elements. After completion of the first row, the subsequent laying of the cinder block begins in compliance with the previous conditions.
Installation joints should have a minimum width, as through them the room loses heat. The optimal size of the seams should not exceed 15 cm. At the same time, there is a tendency to a decrease in strength with a width of less than 10 cm.
Reinforcement of the masonry allows to increase its reliability and ensure uniform load sharing throughout the structure. For reinforcement, a reinforcing mesh or steel rods are used. Performing this procedure is most important for the first row.