How to Do it With Marshalltown Tools

Masonry Tips and Techniques
Laying Block

To begin your block wall, lay a thick bedding of mortar at the corner of your footing using your masonry trowel. This will prevent skidding. Lay corners first by placing the first corner block firmly into the mortar bed at the corner. Butter the exposed edges with mortar, and place the second block in the course. On the opposite side of the corner, lay a thick bedding of mortar on the footing; butter the edges of the block to be laid. As you lay the block, butt it firmly against the first block already positioned to form a right angle. The outsides of these two blocks should be flush; check the angle with your level or a square. Butter the exposed edges of the block and lay the second block in the course. The joints between blocks should be 3/8 inches. If the joint exceeds 3/8 inch, use the handle of your masonry trowel to tap the block into position.

Moving up to the next course, butter the exposed upper edges of the positioned blocks. Lay another corner block to overlap the joint formed by the first course corner blocks and continue "pyramiding" corner blocks in this manner to the third or fourth course. Use a level to check plumb and block level. If blocks are out of position, use the handle of the trowel to tap them back in position.
Proceed to the next corner and follow the same procedure. Always work from corners toward the center of your wall, keeping corners built-up higher than the rest of the wall. Avoid spreading mortar too far ahead, or it may stiffen and loose its plasticity before you get the block laid. Two or three blocks at a time is sufficient to cover. Then butter the vertical face shells of two or three blocks and place all of them in rapid succession. In hot, dry weather you may have to be content with one block at a time to keep ahead of moisture loss.

A string stretched between corners will provide a straight line guide for straight courses. By exerting pressure on the level and tapping each block gently with the trowel handle, blocks should easily jiggle into place. For additional courses, apply mortar to the edges of the previous course a few blocks at a time and also the ends of the block you intend to lay. Then, firmly place the block in position.

A standard joint tool may be used to "strike" the joints after the mortar has set for a time. To allow space for heating ducts within you wall, use partition block instead of the standard 8 inch thickness.

If walls contain a window or a door, jamb blocks are available for use around these openings. First, set the sill and brace jambs in place. Then, lay block up to the jambs. Mortar the lintel across the top if your masonry extends above a door or window opening. Where a partition intersects with an outside wall, the partition must be "tied-in" to the wall; use a partition block and a half in the outside wall. To prevent shifting, place a steel bar at the bottom, middle, and top of your wall at the point of intersection.