Hyde Job Guides

How to Lay Concrete Block

Lay mortared concrete block course by course, with full bed and head joints and the wall kept plumb and aligned. Wall design and reinforcement come from the plans.

What you need

• Model 1809010” Philadelphia Style Trowel, one-piece forged $15.85 each$10.78 each at 100 or more

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• Model 1809510” London Style Trowel, welded $17.47 each$11.88 each at 100 or more

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• Model 18060MAXXGRIP® 2” x 5” Margin Trowel $7.79 each$5.30 each at 100 or more

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• Model 18170Brick Jointer, 3/8” & 1/2” $7.77 each$5.28 each at 100 or more

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• Model 18182Heavy Duty Brick Jointer, 1/2" & 5/8" $5.14 each$4.36 each at 12 or more

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• mortar mixed as the specification requires
• block and special shapes from the drawings
• level, line and story pole
• reinforcement, ties and grout as shown on the plans

Steps

1. Check the approved drawings and specification. Confirm the support is accepted, clean and at the right elevation.
2. Lay out faces, corners, openings and control joints. Build corner leads and a story pole for the coursing.
3. Mix mortar by its instructions. Stage block close to the wall without crowding it.
4. Spread the bed on the first course only as the plans show. Set the corner unit and run the course between controls.
5. On later courses, spread continuous mortar ribbons on the bearing faces only as far ahead as stays workable.
6. Butter the head joint on the unit end, press the block against the neighbor and set it in the bed.
7. Align the block, then cut the squeeze-out from the face with the trowel held flat against the wall.
8. Tool the specified joint profile when mortar is thumbprint-hard, then brush off the crumbs diagonally.

Tips

• The 18090 Philadelphia trowel holds the most mortar for long runs. The 18095 London style gives finer control at returns.
• Use the 18060 margin trowel to scrape the pail, fold a small batch and load the laying trowel.
• Use the 18170 or 18182 jointer only where its end matches the specified joint profile.
• Keep cavities, cells, connectors and drain paths clean as the wall rises.

Watch out

Questions about the right tool for your job? Email cs@hydestore.com or call 508-916-6442.