Step-by-step instructions on how to lay foam blocks with your own hands

Taking on a do-it-yourself project or building your own house can be very fulfilling. Foam blocks are a common and adaptable material for these kinds of projects. Foam blocks are popular among DIY enthusiasts and professional builders due to their lightweight, easy-to-use design, and insulating qualities. Be it building a new wall, an addition, or just adding some structure to your garden, knowing how to lay foam blocks correctly is an important skill.

This tutorial will take you step-by-step through the process of laying foam blocks. Even inexperienced users can produce results that look professional with the help of clear instructions and helpful advice. We’ll take care of everything, from setting up your workspace to adding the last block, to make sure your project is strong and long-lasting.

You can save labor costs and have the satisfaction of doing the task yourself by following these instructions. One foam block at a time, let’s begin to turn your building dreams into reality.

Consumables, tools and accessories for construction

Choosing to buy blocks that are the right size and density is the first step in building a foam concrete house on your own. You will need sections of cellular concrete D600 for load-bearing walls and D500 for internal partitions.

When buying building supplies, it’s important to consider the product’s size and shape. Workability and the quantity of mortar needed to fill the joints will both increase with the regularity of the section shapes.

Since the solution ensures the masonry’s strength, you must decide for yourself which binder will be utilized. To conserve material and preserve heat in the future, clutch sections should be made of materials with thin seams.

Materials that are utilized as the mixture’s binder come in two varieties:

• a cement-sand solution, in which a plasticizer and foaming material are added-it is used in the presence of grains of faces in blocks of more than 2 mm;
• Special industrial glue, designed specifically for laying blocks of foamed concrete, is used to work with perfectly even blocks that have appropriate characteristics according to GOST, is sold in the form of bulk mixtures.

In addition to the necessary supplies, you’ll need the following tools:

• a puncture nozzle designed to mix the solution;
• construction level;
• rubbish, grinding board;
• grater and strooboresis;
• rubber hammer for alignment of sections;
• electrophrez or hacksaw;
• trowel and notched trowel;
• carriage for applying glue;
• brushes and cord.

How to lay the walls of a house correctly?

The following is the procedure for installing walls:

1. Mark the future walls.
2. Place reinforcing material (mesh) at the base of the load-bearing wall.
3. Pull the cord along the length of the marking.
4. For high-quality masonry of the first row, perform waterproofing using roofing material or waterproofing agent and cement mortar.
5. The first blocks are placed starting from the corner of the house at an angle of 90° between the walls.
6. An adhesive solution with a thickness of no more than 30 mm is placed along the length of the block.
7. The evenness of the row is checked using a building level, all distortions are eliminated.
8. Starting from the second row, the layer of adhesive mixture becomes thinner (15-20 mm). First applied to the side surface of the section, and then to its horizontal side.
9. To control the evenness of the masonry, the marking cord is constantly moved to a new row.
10. The load-bearing wall with foam blocks is connected using a tie or steel corners.
11. A 1 cm gap is left at the ceiling along the upper edge of the wall, which is sealed with polyurethane foam.

Pre-wetting the building material is recommended when laying cellular concrete blocks during the hot season, as this will enhance the block surface’s adherence to the adhesive solution.

First row

1. Laying the first row starts from the corners. The highest corner is selected, compared to the others, and the first block is placed on it. The layer of mortar under the first block will be lower than under the remaining corner blocks. If the foundation is perfectly level, then it doesn’t matter from what angle you start laying. You can correct the installation of the corner block using a rubber mallet. Corner (beacon) blocks will serve as guidelines for subsequent work, so their correct installation is a crucial moment. The unit should be 30-50 mm above the base to prevent the accumulation of atmospheric waters on the tape of the base, and it did not get wet and masonry, which depends on the first row, later did not destroy.
2. A cord is attached to the corner blocks using a nail. If the distance between the corner blocks is more than 6 m, then intermediate beacons should be secured so that the cord does not sag. It is recommended to fix beacons in places where external and internal supporting structures intersect. The first row of blocks must be reinforced.
3. When working with the first row, foam concrete sections are laid on cement-sand mortar. This is done in order to compensate for the height difference, thanks to the ability to lay a thicker layer of mortar.
4. The solution must be applied not only to the horizontal surface, but also to the side parts of the sections, so that voids do not appear in the masonry and moisture does not accumulate in the intermediate seams. In frosty conditions this can lead to cracking of seams or sections.
5. The thickness of the horizontal joint solution should be no more than 10-15 mm, and the vertical joint – 8-10 mm.

Second and subsequent rows

Starting from the corners, the second and subsequent rows should likewise be laid, with any deviations regularly measured.

Every time, the cord needs to be raised since it maintains the masonry’s evenness. You should use an adhesive solution when working in this area.

Money is saved and installation time is shortened as a result of using less glue.

The excess mortar is removed with a trowel; blocks of subsequent rows should be laid as tightly as possible to squeeze it out.

Block on block construction prevents seams from being moved by 90 degrees, which could weaken the masonry. The foam block should move by at least 25% and preferably 50% of its length when bandaged.

Reinforcement

As stated in SNIP 2.03.01-84 Reinforcement of the elements is required to improve the stability and strength of external walls composed of cellular concrete.

It’s essential that

• at the junction of the foundation and the wall;
• when connecting a cold and warm wall;
• if long supporting structures intersect;
• where the height or thickness of the wall changes;
• in walls longer than 6 m;
• in places where structures made of different materials are connected.

Photos of options for foam block houses

Self-laying foam blocks is an easy and affordable way to construct sturdy, insulated walls. This tutorial covers every step of the process, from laying the foundation to adding the finishing touches, in simple-to-follow steps. You will discover how to mix and apply mortar correctly, check that your blocks are level and aligned, and finish your walls to give them a polished appearance. Even if you have no prior masonry experience, you can still achieve excellent results with the right tools and materials plus a little perseverance.

Problems and errors

When constructing walls out of foam blocks, the following issues could come up:

1. Working with foam concrete in damp or frosty weather can lead to cracking of the masonry.
2. Poor quality filling of joints will make the masonry weak and increase heat loss.
3. Before laying, blocks should be cleaned of dust and dirt, and if necessary, soaked in a soil mixture to improve the adhesion of the sections to the mortar.
4. Laying the first row must be done responsibly and in accordance with all the rules; the quality of the wall masonry along the entire height depends on this.
5. The minimum shift of blocks of the following rows should be from ¼ to ½ the length of the section size.
6. The blocks should be corrected no later than 15 minutes after they are laid on the solution, while it has not yet set.
7. Window and door openings must be reinforced.
8. The masonry mortar should be mixed in small portions.

Only one month after construction can walls be plastered because foam blocks shrink by up to 3 mm every meter.

Pros and cons of self-masonry

There are benefits and drawbacks to using cellular concrete for independent masonry walls. Among the benefits are financial savings for the construction crew.

Cons of self-improvement:

• self-laying will take more time;
• Lack of construction experience can affect the quality of work.

Approximate costs for working independently

You can get a cheap house made of foam blocks if you lay the walls yourself. The only use of material expenses will be for the acquisition of building supplies.

The total volume of future walls required for the project will allow for the calculation of the number of blocks needed.

The average cost of one cubic meter of 600x300x200 mm foam blocks is between 2500 and 3200 rubles. Expenses for glue (200–250 rubles) are added to this amount (one cubic meter of masonry equals 20–30 kg of dry mixture).

One cubic meter of independent masonry will cost 3000–3500 rubles if you include the cost of reinforcement, cement, sand, and other consumables.

Useful video

A quick video that demonstrates how to place foam blocks:

Using your hands to lay foam blocks is a doable project that can cut construction costs substantially. You can make sure the blocks are laid precisely and quickly by following a step-by-step procedure, which will produce a strong and long-lasting structure.

Make sure your foundation is clean, level, and ready to start. This prepares the ground for a strong build. It’s important to mix the mortar properly so that the blocks stay together; the mortar should have the proper consistency. To maintain a straight and even wall, be sure to check each block for alignment and levelness as you lay it and make any necessary adjustments.

Proceed methodically, placing a single course of blocks at a time, and give each layer time to solidify before adding another. This keeps the wall stable and less prone to shifting. In order to ensure a proper fit and alignment, extra attention must be paid to the corners and edges.

After the walls are up, examine your work carefully. Find any holes or uneven spots, and fill or fix them as necessary. This meticulous attention to detail will improve your project’s overall strength and appearance.

Self-laying foam blocks can be a satisfying experience that improves your comprehension of construction methods and gives you a sense of accomplishment. You can produce results that are on par with those of a professional with perseverance and careful execution. Have fun constructing!

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