ᐅ Formwork blocks on the slab: should they be set in a mortar bed or not?
Created on: 5 Nov 2020 08:15
A
abc12345Hello everyone,
I have a base slab and now want to start building up with 24cm (10 inch) concrete formwork blocks. (It will be for a pool).
Should I set the first row of formwork blocks in a mortar bed and align them there, or should I simply align the blocks "dry" and then directly pour concrete with reinforcement for the first two rows?
Does it make a difference?
Thank you for your answers.
I have a base slab and now want to start building up with 24cm (10 inch) concrete formwork blocks. (It will be for a pool).
Should I set the first row of formwork blocks in a mortar bed and align them there, or should I simply align the blocks "dry" and then directly pour concrete with reinforcement for the first two rows?
Does it make a difference?
Thank you for your answers.
Hello,
first, measure the height difference of the floor slab. This measurement plus 0.5cm (0.2 inches) will be the thickness of your mortar bed. Of course, mortar goes beneath it, otherwise you won’t be able to level the formwork blocks.
The more precise you are with the first row, the easier it will be afterward. Ideally, if everything fits well and the formwork blocks are very dimensionally accurate, everything else will be like building with Lego.
first, measure the height difference of the floor slab. This measurement plus 0.5cm (0.2 inches) will be the thickness of your mortar bed. Of course, mortar goes beneath it, otherwise you won’t be able to level the formwork blocks.
The more precise you are with the first row, the easier it will be afterward. Ideally, if everything fits well and the formwork blocks are very dimensionally accurate, everything else will be like building with Lego.
Hello abc12345
Of course, it is sufficient to level the formwork blocks on the slab. But it’s not quite that simple.
This is how I do it: I measure the height difference with a spirit level. I place the first formwork block on the level (plastic wedges help with this) and then add the next blocks. All are leveled. Then I mix mortar and press it under the formwork blocks. This stabilizes the blocks more than the unstable wedges.
Since I cannot bricklay, this is how I manage. It always works.
Steven
Of course, it is sufficient to level the formwork blocks on the slab. But it’s not quite that simple.
This is how I do it: I measure the height difference with a spirit level. I place the first formwork block on the level (plastic wedges help with this) and then add the next blocks. All are leveled. Then I mix mortar and press it under the formwork blocks. This stabilizes the blocks more than the unstable wedges.
Since I cannot bricklay, this is how I manage. It always works.
Steven
B
borderpuschl5 Nov 2020 10:51The formwork blocks I have always used are unfortunately not dimensionally accurate (tested various manufacturers). Therefore, it hardly matters how precisely your blocks are aligned horizontally because by the third row at the latest, they no longer fit properly. That is why I precisely measure and fit the last centimeters (usually about 3-5cm (1-2 inches)) to achieve exact millimeter-accurate dimensions.
borderpuschl schrieb:
) not dimensionally accurate.Hello
that is why each row should be leveled using these plastic shims.
Steven
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