Are block walls built with surface-bonding cement as strong as walls built with mortar?

Q: Are block walls built with surface-bonding cement as strong as walls built with mortar?

A: Concrete-block walls coated with surface-bonding cement are stronger than walls built the traditional way. Surface-bonding cement is sold in bags containing fiber-reinforcement, cement, sand and polymers. The surface-bonded wall must rest on a solid concrete foundation. Also, check with your local building department about requirements for internal reinforcement. If it’s required by code, you may need to fill the block cores with an approved grout. After you’ve stacked and capped the wall, dampen the surface with water and use a trowel to apply the surface-bonding cement as thick as the manufacturer recommends.

Hot Product

Trex® Protect tapes
TREX® PROTECT

No matter what material is used for the surface of a deck, the substructure is likely to be built with wood. Over time, water leaking through deck boards can cause hidden damage unless the wooden joinery of the foundation is properly protected. In fact, builders have reported that wood left exposed to the elements can […]

Read More >>