Masonry from gas silicate blocks. Masonry of aerated concrete blocks Masonry of walls from gas silicate blocks

Regular readers of our portal are well aware that within the framework of the project we are building a modern and energy-efficient aerated concrete house. After the completion of the so-called. "Zero cycle", which you can find in, we moved on to the next most important stage - the laying of aerated concrete walls.

The purpose of this material is to go beyond and, with the help of specialists, tell how to build a house from aerated concrete. In the format of a master class, professional builders will share with you the secrets of craftsmanship. Namely:

• What tools are needed to build a house from aerated concrete blocks.
• How to lay the first row of masonry.
• What to make jumpers and armored belts.

Tools needed to build an aerated concrete house

One of the key features of aerated concrete is the ease of processing blocks. Aerated concrete can be sawn, grinded, sanded, ditched, having an inexpensive set of simple hand tools in the arsenal. At the same time, when choosing a tool, it should be remembered that the quality and speed of work largely depend on its characteristics.

The minimum set includes:

• Trowel. With this tool, the adhesive composition is evenly applied to the surface of aerated concrete blocks. The trowel provides strict regulation of the mixture, which guarantees the fineness of the masonry. For convenience, speed and quality of work, the width of the working part of the trowel must correspond to the thickness of the aerated concrete block.

• Saw on aerated concrete. A saw for aerated concrete blocks is a hand tool - a hacksaw, which differs from a saw for wood in a larger blade thickness and in the shape of saw teeth.

Using a saw, you can cut an aerated concrete block in half, cut additional elements from the blocks, and make the necessary technological protrusions in the block.

• Mallet. The rubber hammer allows you to upset and align the stacked blocks vertically and horizontally, without damaging their surface.

• Aerated concrete planer. This is a special tool needed for grinding small irregularities and height differences on aerated concrete.

Saw blades are fixed in the working part (sole) of the planer. Due to the multidirectional position of the teeth, the tool grinds the surface of the aerated concrete block without leaving deep grooves on it.

• Sanding board. The tool allows you to grind roughness on the surface of aerated concrete or rub the surface after using a planer.

• bubble level. The tool is necessary to control the geometry of the masonry (evenness of the plane of the stacked blocks) both horizontally and vertically. The optimal length of the bubble level is from 600 to 800 mm.

• Wall chaser. The tool is used for the quick manufacture of strobes for laying reinforcement (reinforcement of masonry under window openings), as well as for cutting cable channels for laying engineering routes, for example, electrical wiring.

In addition to the above tools, to build a house from aerated concrete, you will need:

• Spatula - it is necessary to remove excess mortar from the seams and grout the surface of the blocks from dirt and chips.
• Sweeping brush - with its help all dust must be removed from the blocks, remaining after grinding and grouting surfaces.
• A square that is used to mark places for sawing blocks with a saw on aerated concrete.
• Marking construction lace-berth.

How to lay the first row of aerated concrete blocks

The most important stage in the construction of an aerated concrete house is correct laying of the first row of aerated concrete blocks, because from this the correct geometry is completely dependent overhead rows. The work is divided into a number of successive steps, the first of which is the layout of waterproofing on the foundation.

Waterproofing material can be glued, coated or rolled. Practice shows that the most technologically advanced in the work is rolled waterproofing, which is simply rolled out on the surface of the foundation.

Waterproofing is necessary to prevent capillary rise of moisture from the foundation to the load-bearing walls.

The laying of aerated concrete walls begins with the laying of corner blocks, but before that it is necessary to make markings in order to set the contours of the walls in accordance with the project.

To do this, stakes are driven into the ground at the corners of the foundation (the so-called cast-off) and a marking cord is attached to them, on screws.

The laces at the corners should intersect at right angles. To check the geometry, the width, length and diagonals are measured (they must be equal).

Important: the installation of a cast-off is required. If you try to measure the geometry of the walls using the blocks laid at the corners, then during the measurement process they may move, and the result will be inaccurate.

Of the most common mistakes when installing a cast-off, one can note the installation of pallets with blocks inside the perimeter of the foundation, for example, aerated concrete is placed on a slab. As a result, it is impossible to accurately measure the diagonals.

After the waterproofing has been installed, and the contours of the building have been demolished, we proceed to the second stage - measuring the height difference of the foundation. To do this, you can use an optical or laser level, or get by with the usual hydraulic level.

The height difference of the foundation (between the highest point and the lowest) should not exceed 30-40 mm. If the height difference is greater, then it is necessary to level the foundation plane using a concrete mixture.

The third stage is the laying of corner blocks. Highly it is important to lay corner blocks with millimeter accuracy. If you do not follow this rule and lay blocks with a height difference of even 2-3 mm, then as the walls are erected and errors accumulate at the finish, we will get a significant discrepancy in the level of the upper rows of masonry.

Vitaly Bykov

Unlike the foundation, where height differences can be observed, aerated concrete blocks have high geometric accuracy. The manufacturing accuracy of the aerated concrete block is + - 1-2 mm. Because the foundation plane can vary by centimeters, we need to lay the first row of blocks in such a way as to level this error and bring the entire row to 0 on the horizon. To do this, the first row of blocks is laid on the CPS (cement-sand mortar) with a thickness of 2 to 5 cm. Moreover, the thickness of the mixture may vary depending on the unevenness of the foundation.

Having measured the height difference of the foundation, we found the highest point from which we begin laying the corner blocks on the DSP. The intersection of the lace shows the location of the corner blocks. Blocks when laying on the DSP are upset with a rubber mallet.

The horizontality of the stacked blocks is controlled by a bubble level. Only after the corner stones have been accurately set and the mortar has set, you can begin to fill the entire first row with aerated concrete.

After laying the corner blocks, it is necessary to check the horizontal and vertical deviations again. We are guided by the rule: "it is better to measure everything seven times than to make a mistake once."

To continue laying the first row, you need to wait until the DSP grabs under the laid corner blocks. This may take 6-8 hours. If you start laying earlier, then the corner blocks may move.

The laying of the remaining blocks is carried out along a stretched cord. At the same time, we make sure that the blocks do not pull the lace. It is optimal when a gap of 2-3 mm is left between the block and the stretched thread. Otherwise, a displaced lace will lead to the deviation of the entire row.

If the distance between the corner blocks exceeds 10 meters, then between them, so that the lace does not sag, a third is laid - an intermediate block, for which the thread clings.

Important: laying on the CPS is allowed only for the installation of the first row of aerated concrete blocks, which is in direct contact with the foundation. In the future, all work is carried out using a special adhesive for aerated concrete, which ensures the fineness of the masonry in 1-3 mm and thereby minimizes cold bridges.

Before installing aerated concrete block, it must be prepared. To do this, take a spatula and remove dirt from the block, brush off the dust with a brush.

We coat the vertical seams with glue using a trowel.

We install the block without docking it with the already laid one. We align the block with the help of the building level and, only after the block is aligned horizontally, we dock it with the previous one, upsetting it with a mallet to get a single horizontal plane.

To fill the gap between the sides, in which the whole block cannot be laid, we cut out the additional block with a hacksaw for aerated concrete.

The additional block is also laid on the DSP, and the ends are smeared with glue.

As a result, we have an absolutely flat horizontal surface of the first row, in which the top is set to 0, and the drop is eliminated due to the DSP layer.

To proceed with the laying of the second row, it is necessary to wait until the cement-sand mixture hardens and gains strength. This takes 6-8 hours. With a DSP thickness of more than 2 cm and under adverse weather conditions (dampness, rain, low temperatures), it may take 24 hours for the mixture to dry completely.

Vitaly Bykov

Careful preparation of the first row ensures high masonry speed and accurate geometry of all subsequent rows.

The surface of the first row of blocks before laying the second row is prepared (levelled) using an aerated concrete planer and a sanding board. Planer grinds irregularities at the junctions of blocks.

Sanding with a circular motion gives the blocks a horizontal finish. Due to the abrasive, small circular grooves remain on the block, which ensures better adhesion of the adhesive composition to aerated concrete.

Laying load-bearing and non-bearing partitions, production of lintels and armored belts

The laying of load-bearing partitions is carried out when laying the first row. Non-load-bearing walls (partitions) can be installed after the load-bearing walls have been erected.

Non-bearing partitions are attached to the load-bearing walls using flexible special metal ties. The bonds are established after the application of the adhesive composition, pressing into the composition. Flexible links for aerated concrete are made of stainless steel. They have a perforation that provides better adhesion of bonds in the masonry.

Bandaging of load-bearing walls and load-bearing partitions is carried out for the entire width of the block (wall thickness) through 1 row.

The depth of the vertical (plank) ligation of blocks in the wall must be at least 125 mm.

Important: a trowel is used for laying aerated concrete on a thin adhesive seam. Before laying, the blocks must be dedusted.

Vitaly Bykov

In order for the adhesive composition to completely fill the vertical seam, the end of the block is smeared with the mixture not over the entire surface, but not reaching 1-2 cm to the bottom. The stacked block is placed on the edge at an angle to the installed one and only after that it falls down. As a result: the adhesive in the vertical joint is evenly distributed over the entire surface. If you apply glue to the entire end, then when the block is lowered, the excess glue will be squeezed out, and the thickness of the vertical seam in the lower part will increase.

When constructing window sill openings, one row before creating an opening, it is necessary to reinforce the masonry. To do this, the masonry is chased (strobe size 40x40 mm), reinforcement with a diameter of at least 8 mm is laid in the strobe, and the strobe is then filled with CPS.

During construction work, it is recommended to remove as many blocks from pallets as are expected to be laid in one day. The rest of the time, follow the rules for storing blocks and place them on a flat area in a place inaccessible to moisture.

The masonry technologies of the first and subsequent rows of walls have differences. Let's consider both technologies separately.

Masonry of the first row of blocks

After installing the foundation of the building, laying the first row is the most crucial moment. The accuracy of all subsequent rows of the wall and the stability of the entire building depend on the first row. Therefore, this stage of construction work must be approached especially responsibly.

Before laying the first row, waterproofing is carried out along the upper level of the foundation, which will be a protection between the foundation and the masonry. A leveling layer of cement-sand mortar is poured under the blocks. The blocks themselves are installed using polymer solutions based on dry mixes, sometimes bituminous roll materials are also used for installation.

In order to align all rows of the building, slats are placed at the corners with risks along the height of each row of masonry. A mooring cord is stretched through them to control the evenness of the masonry of each subsequent row.

Using a level, it is necessary to measure the level of the highest corner of the building, from which the construction of the building begins. At the same time, the difference in height between the corners of the house should not be more than 3 cm.

Best of all, the blocks are placed on the adhesive mixture. It requires water, a mixing bucket and a construction mixer to make it. The required amount of water is poured into the bucket and, with constant stirring with a mixer, the calculated amount of the dry mixture is gradually added. During the installation work, the adhesive must be mixed from time to time. This is done so that it does not harden, so that its uniformity is constantly maintained.

During the construction process, part of the gas silicate blocks are subject to trimming. These materials are cut simply, using a conventional hand saw. For cutting accuracy and measuring the right angle when cutting, a square is used. Such trimmed blocks are called additional. Before installing the next additional block, be sure to coat the vertical seams with an adhesive mixture.

Masonry of the subsequent rows of the wall

The laying of the next rows also has its own characteristics. Each subsequent row is laid only after the previous one is completely seized. In time, this is approximately 1-2 hours after the completion of the masonry.

It is necessary to clearly control the laying of each block of the wall. The evenness of the rows is checked by the level and the cord-mooring. The final alignment of the masonry is done using a level and a rubber mallet.

The mixture is applied to the blocks as follows. Depending on the thickness of the blocks, a gear carriage or a spatula is selected for applying the mixture. Evenly, without gaps, glue is applied to the surface of 2-3 blocks. The carriage helps to better distribute the mixture, without it running down the sides of the blocks.

The subsequent rows, like the first, are placed from the corner of the building. At the same time, the adhesive mixture is not applied to the ends of the blocks. Materials are laid and leveled immediately in place, the blocks are bandaged.

In some cases, gas silicate blocks need reinforcement.

Proper masonry reinforcement

Each first and fourth row of masonry is reinforced. In order to make reinforcement, strobes are cut in the middle of the blocks with a manual or electric wall chaser. If you are working with blocks with a thickness of 400 mm or more, it is best to lay two parallel rows of reinforcement. The construction dust that has got inside is removed with a sweeper or a hair dryer.

Before filling the strobes with an adhesive mixture and laying reinforcement, it is recommended to moisten them with water. This is done to improve the construction qualities of the structure. Each strobe is filled with a fastening solution to half its depth, after which a steel reinforcement bar is inserted into it.

For reinforcing the blocks, steel bars with a diameter of 8 mm are used. When reinforcing blocks at the corners of the building, the strobes are drilled with roundings, and the rods are bent at the calculated place. For bending, special equipment or hand tools are used. After that, the rods are installed each in their own strobe.

Each element of the reinforcement is immersed in the adhesive solution, then the strobe is filled with the solution. Thus, corrosion is prevented. After completion of work, the remnants of the mixture are removed with a trowel.

After the installation of walls made of gas silicate and aerated concrete blocks, their cladding is required.

There are several basic cladding options.

Brick cladding.

Relative cladding.

Stucco finish.

1. When choosing this type of cladding, it is important to remember that the plaster should not be cement-sand. In areas of high stress, such as corners of the building, window openings, places of breaks in the facade profile, it is recommended to reinforce the plaster layer with special meshes.
2. During plastering work, it is necessary to prevent freezing, drying of the plaster, and also observe the temperature regime.

Choose gas blocks for your construction at!

Aerated concrete is a synthetically created building material. It is made as a result of temperature effects on all constituent components. The main advantages of this material are ease of production, low weight, strength, thermal insulation. However, despite all its advantages, many unskilled workers do not like to work with it. But professionals are happy to use aerated concrete blocks. There are some features of laying such blocks.

Tool selection

In order for the laying of aerated concrete to be correct and durable, one cannot do without the use of special tools. To prepare a concrete solution you will need - an industrial mixer, a mixing container. In order to apply the mixture, you will need - several trowels of different sizes. To fit aerated concrete blocks together - a special hammer and measuring level. If it is planned to process an aerated concrete block, then it would be nice to stock up on such tools as a marking ruler, sawing, grouting, equipment for forming grooves, nozzles for a drill, drill, brush.

Masonry methods

Preparation of mortar for masonry.

To date, there are two methods for laying aerated concrete products with your own hands, this is the laying of aerated concrete blocks on a cement mortar and on an adhesive mixture. But, despite the chosen laying method, the first row must be laid on a cement mortar. The dosage of the components should be such that the resulting masonry mixture does not spread, because otherwise the block will not lend itself to fixation. If the construction is of a large volume, then it is much more convenient to mix the solution not with your own hands, but with the help of a concrete mixer.

Adhesive solution

In order for the resulting solution to have a uniform texture, it is better to use equipment operating at low speeds for mixing. To mix glue from five kilograms of dry mixture, a liter of water is drawn into the vessel. Dry glue is slowly poured into the vessel and immediately whipped. Let it brew for ten minutes, and then beat thoroughly again. The adhesive solution can be considered ready when it becomes similar in consistency to thick sour cream. If the glue has dried and hardened, it is forbidden to dilute it with a new mixture or water.

Cement-sand mixture

A similar solution can be used in order to perform block laying. It is made by mixing all the ingredients and a special binder component. Such compositions are distinguished by ease of preparation and reliability of use.

The formulation of such mixtures may vary somewhat, depending on the required task. If it is necessary to obtain a more plastic mixture, then clay is added to the composition. Such a mixture during operation does not crumble and does not crumble, allowing you to carefully and easily lay the building material. The use of special plasticizing components in the cement mixture for aerated concrete allows high-quality installation of facade walls. Such a mixture is very economical, gives good insulation properties, easy to use and lay. Thanks to its advantages, many workers still work more often with such a mixture, and not with glue.

What to choose?

The use of glue is a rational, profitable and correct decision.

When performing construction work, specialists are interested not only in how to lay aerated concrete, but also in what mixture to choose. After all, both the first and second options have a lot of advantages. It should be noted that the thermal conductivity of both mixtures is much higher than that of blocks. From this it is obvious that the thermal insulation of the entire building depends on the width of the seam. If you use a cement mixture, then the width of the seam will be approximately about 9 millimeters. In the case of glue, the width of the seams does not exceed 3 millimeters.

Given that the price of glue is higher, it can initially be assumed that when it is used, the cost of installation work will also increase significantly. But, taking into account its minimum consumption, in reality, the costs increase quite a bit, and the building comes out much warmer. But if you use a cheaper cement mixture, it becomes clear that much more is needed and the cost of installation will inevitably increase. From this comparison, it becomes clear that the use of glue when laying on blocks is a more rational solution, profitable and correct.

Laying technology

Before starting installation work with your own hands, you need to unpack the blocks and place them next to the laying of the row. When performing construction work on installation, it is better to use a special adhesive mixture. In the case of such a choice, you will be protected from the formation of cold winds in the masonry. It is not recommended to use a cement mixture, because, despite its cheapness, the consumption is much higher, and the seams look sloppy and too wide. Also, such a choice worsens the thermal insulation of the future home.

Before you start masonry installation of blocks, it is worth putting special beacons. They are installed in the adjoining areas, along the entire perimeter of the facade. They are necessary for leveling, in order to fix with their help a special wire that controls the evenness of walls and partitions. Secure the wire with galvanized nails. Also, we must not forget that the laying instructions are an important element of any construction operations.

Mixing

For cooking, you need to prepare a special container and an industrial mixer. To knead the mixture, use a special dry composition and warm water. Beating is continued until the mixture becomes homogeneous in consistency. You need to work it out for 20 minutes, because of this, small doses are kneaded. During the operation of the adhesive, it must be constantly kneaded so that it loses uniformity.

If the construction takes place at low temperatures, then it is necessary to use a special type of masonry mixture. It contains special components that prevent freezing, which makes it possible to maintain its characteristics even at low temperatures.

markup

Wall laying is carried out only after the complete marking of building products. Marking is carried out along the axes of all surfaces of the future facade. After that, the material is taken, delivered to the installation site and distributed along the selected axes. When performing the dressing procedure, an incomplete material is used, which will be located at the corners.

It follows from this that you first need to cut the products. This is not difficult to do, because cutting is done with a saw or a hacksaw. In order for all structures to be evenly cut, it is worth using a special ruler when marking. It is also necessary to pre-prepare those materials that will be reinforced in the future.

First, those blocks are prepared that are necessary for laying the first row, after which the grooves of the rods for reinforcement are made during the installation of the facade.

Laying and reinforcement

The process of installing walls and partitions of the future building is not complicated, but it is important to do everything right. Only then will the whole process go quickly, and the structure will be of high quality. First, building material and a special mixture for work are prepared. To complete the first row, you must complete the reinforcement procedure. After that, glue is applied to the surface and distributed with a special comb. The thickness of the seam should not exceed 4 millimeters.

Installation of masonry should be done with dressing, each product must be shifted by a distance equal to half of one structure. If you do not perform dressing, then this will negatively affect the properties of the walls. The protruding mixture from the thickness of the seams cannot be overwritten, it can only be carefully removed with a trowel. For evenness of the masonry, a special cord is used. The evenness of the work done is determined using the building level and a special ruler.

With the correct installation of the walls with your own hands, the issue of waterproofing cannot be ignored. For its implementation, a special grid is used. Be sure to fix the waterproofing mesh on the walls in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bcontact with the foundation. After the erection of partitions, they cannot be left defenseless. It is worth immediately performing facade and insulation operations. In the case when it is not possible to do this right away, then they try to cover the row with a special polyethylene mesh until it is possible to finish everything. Reinforcement is planned even in preparation for construction. This is a mandatory operation in case the wall is too long or there will be increased pressure on the box.

Under this procedure, all jumpers are subject, the length of which is more than 90 centimeters. As well as all the lower seams of the openings. This operation can be applied using two technologies - using metal rods or using a special mesh. During installation, special grooves are cut in the blocks, where the rods are laid and glue is poured. This is followed by laying the next row.

The mesh during the construction of the building is required to increase the strength of the facade and prevent cracks in the walls. The metal mesh is laid with an interval of 3 rows of aerated concrete blocks. The most commonly used materials for reinforcement are:

• galvanized mesh;
• mesh made of basalt;
• fiberglass mesh.

In the current construction, aerated concrete masonry is very popular. Everyone will consider such a fact quite logical - it is easy to fit, even someone unfamiliar with masonry walls can lay it with their own hands the first time. The material is unusually light and at the same time durable. Therefore, it loads the foundation much less than additional savings allow. It also has excellent heat and sound insulation. The laying of aerated concrete walls allows you to unusually quickly raise the box of the building, as well as apply unusual design solutions. And unlike gas silicate blocks, it does not absorb moisture.

How much does aerated concrete masonry cost?

The price of laying aerated concrete blocks depends on the complexity of construction, the number of floors, trimmings, the time of year and some other minor circumstances. The price of construction from aerated concrete is cheaper by 40-50%. Compared to brickwork. The masonry itself is simpler and can be done by hand, and therefore cheaper.

To remove the walls, a working construction project or at least a masonry plan is required. The project calculates thermal characteristics, various loads on the walls to determine the required wall thickness. Design allows you to avoid a lot of mistakes, get the best price-quality ratio. Aerated concrete perfectly copes with the structural and insulating function. In each climatic zone, a different thickness of this building material is used. For the first climatic zone, a thickness of 360 mm is required, with a block density of 500 kg / m 3, for the remaining zones it does not matter (300 mm or 240 mm - it does not matter here). For reliable thermal insulation of the house, blocks not lower than the D500 brand are recommended. If insulation or decorative plastering of the walls of the building is not planned, frost-resistant grades of aerated concrete F35 and higher are used. It is advisable to purchase aerated concrete only from well-known companies. Semi-handicraft material does not have an absolute geometry, which is necessary for the quality of the masonry. In most cases, a cellular type of gas concrete is used, made using autoclave hardening technology. Cheapness, ease of processing, ability to high loads - these features are present in autoclaved aerated concrete.

Do-it-yourself aerated concrete masonry principles

List of tools that will be required for work with aerated concrete:

1. saw - for cutting blocks to get a smaller block. Perhaps the use of a hacksaw for wood (cutting a block will not affect its quality and durability);
2. tools for applying adhesive solutions - for uniform application of glue. Also trowel, ladle;
3. rubber mallet - for precise laying and fitting blocks;
4. wall chaser - cuts grooves (strobes) in blocks for laying reinforcement;
5. drill with a stirrer - for the preparation of adhesive solutions;
6. grater - to remove possible protrusions, aligning the upper faces of the blocks, grouting the seam;
7. building, standard and water levels - for precise adjustment of blocks to each other;
8. marking cord;
9. plane;
10. fittings (diameter 8-10 cm);
11. narrow brush to remove dust from the grooves;
12. notched trowel;
13. roulette;
14. level (optional).

Masonry standards

By purpose, load-bearing, non-bearing and self-supporting walls are distinguished. For internal walls, one row of blocks is enough, just take into account the likelihood of subsidence of the building, which means the possibility of deformation and cracking of the walls. Reliable masonry meets the requirements:

• orderly bandaging of blocks - for additional strength of the walls;
• compliance with chain row dressing when laying in one block;
• the use of vertical ligation of rows of two-row laying. It is necessary to perform at least 1/5 of the wall thickness. Or shift with tychkovye rows, which alternate with spoon rows in a ratio of 2/3.

Another type of installation - "two blocks", only without vertical ligation - the rows are connected by additional elements. To do this, use wire, dowels, anchor plates. To install fasteners, tools for drilling concrete with a diamond are used.

The first question arises regarding the time required for laying the material with your own hands, for the mortar to harden. This also includes the number of workers for the laying and movement of materials. The winter season proportionally affects the tolerance and depends on temperature and other weather conditions.

Zero level beating

The first row after the foundation is the most important moment. If it is properly laid, then the rest of the work will turn into an easy and pleasant job. Start by preparing the foundation. Achieve a perfectly flat horizontal surface so that the height difference is minimal. If the difference is more than 5 mm, then the first layer must be placed on a cement-sand mortar (proportion 1: 3), and not on an adhesive base, and thus level the surface. In this case, the thickness of the solution should be no more than 20 mm.

Bookmark corners

We start laying aerated concrete from the corners of the building. We apply a 2-centimeter layer of mortar directly onto the roofing material, put a block, trim it with a rubber mallet according to the level. After the exhibition of the corner blocks, we check the diagonals of the future room with a tape measure or rope. The rectangle has the same diagonals. The protrusion of aerated concrete blocks beyond the base is allowed no more than 50 mm.

Rules for laying the first row of aerated concrete

Next, between the corner blocks we stretch and fasten the cord. The gap between the cord and the edge of the blocks is 2–3 mm. For a wall longer than 10 meters, another block is placed in the center of the row so that the cord does not sag. It is along the cord between the lighthouse blocks that the first row should be laid. We place the blocks as accurately as possible with our own hands, guided by the rope. For each element, we check the level in the horizontal and vertical planes. With a rubber mallet, lightly tap the blocks, adjusting them to each other. They must fit tightly together. The thickness of the adhesive layers is 0.5–3 mm, and the average joint thickness is 2 mm. On the surface of aerated concrete, we apply an adhesive solution with a notched tool to help squeeze out excess mortar when laying the next block. In most cases, the wall length is not a multiple of the block length. It does not matter - the required size is easily cut off with a hacksaw. With a grater or planer, we overwrite the seams and irregularities - so that the next row lies more evenly, and leveling the side surfaces will facilitate plastering. Remove the resulting dust from the surfaces, but do not throw it away - it will come in handy for filling the grooves, just mix it into the adhesive solution. When the first row of blocks is exposed, wait 2-3 hours for the mortar to set. In the meantime, get ready to reinforce the first row.

Confidence in the strength of the building - reinforced aerated concrete. In order to lay aerated concrete according to the norms with your own hands, it is necessary to reinforce the wall. Quite a few people do not engage in reinforcement - supposedly an unnecessary expense. The bearing capacity of the masonry does not increase from this. But without reinforcement, the walls will crack over time, it’s scary to imagine such a picture. Moreover, only load-bearing external walls are reinforced. So, the initial row has dried up, it is already possible to carry out reinforcement.

The steps are simple:

1. on top of the row with a wall chaser or chisel, we make 2 hollows 4 cm wide (no closer than 5–6 cm from the edge of the gas block);
2. remove dust;
3. we fill the strobes halfway with a solution;
4. we lay reinforcement bars (diameter 8 mm), at the joints with an overlap of at least 40 mm;
5. now completely fill the strobes with reinforcement with a solution;
6. grater and planer level the surface.

After reinforcement, you can immediately lay the next row. Reinforcing is done every 3-4 rows, depending on the technical conditions specified by the manufacturer.

Masonry of internal aerated concrete walls

Internal load-bearing walls are the same thickness as the external ones. It is only necessary to bind these walls together. In the outer block, we cut out a quarter, and insert the block of the inner wall, previously smeared with glue. For future partitions, flexible connections are fixed. Attached with nails. Or they are walled up in the thickness of the seam, pressed into the solution, which simplifies the work. Installation of partitions from aerated concrete blocks is carried out similarly. You can use blocks with a thickness of 100 mm. Such walls are not reinforced, they can be built not on the foundation, but on any surface. Then the blocks are not glued to the base, but placed on a vibration-damping strip (polyethylene foam, cork, rigid mineral plate) to remove the transmission of structural noise from the outside. They do not overlap with external walls, on the contrary, you can leave a gap of 15 mm, and then blow it out with mounting foam.

Preparation of solutions

In order for do-it-yourself masonry made of aerated concrete to be durable, adhesive mixtures are used. They strengthen the connection, and at the same time allow to reduce the thickness of the seam. In addition, the glue diverges 5 times less than the cement mortar. When choosing a solution, consider the thermal protection of the external walls. For example, it is strictly forbidden to use a cement-limestone mortar, because it has poor thermal insulation. As a result, thermal bridges will appear, and this is already a sad prospect of cracks appearing on the future wall. So, the ideal choice for an external wall would be to use an adhesive solution. Preparing it is as easy as shelling pears: pour the purchased dry mixture into the right amount of water, stirring with a drill with a special nozzle. The proportions are indicated in the instructions for the glue. It is difficult to prepare a mortar by hand, very laborious, and nevertheless, a do-it-yourself one will be of poorer quality, due to the specific properties of the dry mixture. In the frost season, plasticizer additives must be added to the solution. Excess water freezes, because of this, the strength of the adhesive is significantly reduced. Special additives also help to preserve the properties of the adhesive for aerated concrete in the winter.

As we can see, armed with outstanding theoretical knowledge about aerated concrete blocks, there is nothing complicated in building the walls of a building with your own hands, but on the contrary, it is easy, reliable and pleasant.

One of the most popular types of cellular concrete today - gas silicate is used in the construction of residential buildings and non-residential premises. Its popularity is easily explained - the convenience and speed of masonry, as well as an affordable price. But like any material, the laying of gas silicate blocks has its own nuances.

When working with gas silicate blocks, it is important to pay attention to several main points:

• Surface level;
• Ligation of blocks;
• Reliable waterproofing;
• Mandatory laying of reinforcement.

The reasons for the popularity of laying the walls of the house and outbuildings from gas silicate:

• Thermal insulation - the material has low thermal conductivity and retains heat well;
• Light weight - gas silicate belongs to the group of lightweight concretes;
• Ease of installation - the blocks are easy to further process, and the size allows you to reduce the time for laying work;
• Affordable cost.

But, despite their advantages, gas silicate blocks have several negative features - poor resistance to water, so it is important to lay good waterproofing during construction, and fragility. Transportation of blocks must be carried out carefully, all parts must be tightly fixed.

When buying gas silicate blocks, it is better to purchase a certain stock for a “battle”.

Construction technology from gas silicate blocks

The laying of gas silicate is not very difficult, the main thing is to follow a few rules.

• The blocks must be even and homogeneous in structure; if necessary, the surface is cleaned with a planer;
• Each installed block is checked for evenness by a building level;
• It is better to use tongue-and-groove blocks, they provide a stronger connection;
• First of all, corner elements are installed with a spike outward;
• The laying of the gas silicate block is carried out on a cement mortar or special glue for cellular concrete;
• On every third or fourth row, a layer of reinforcement is laid;

The use of only cement adhesive mass will lead to a decrease in thermal insulation properties.

Below is a detailed step-by-step instruction for laying gas silicate blocks with your own hands.

The choice of mixture for installation work

To work with gas silicate products, several options for a binder solution are offered:

• Mortar based on cement and sand;
• Special glue.

The cement mixture is the simplest and most affordable option, the price of the ingredients is quite low, the mixture can be prepared independently - 3 parts of sand and water are shaved for 1 part of cement, the mixture is thoroughly mixed until smooth.

But the cement-sand mixture has a big disadvantage - the occurrence of "cold bridges", the room cools quickly, so it is not worth building a residential building only on this solution, it is better to use it for the construction of garages, fences, industrial buildings, etc.

Special glue - for the installation of gas silicate blocks, it is worth giving preference to glue for cellular concrete of deep penetration. It is characterized by high rates of durability, moisture resistance, resistance to mold and the occurrence of fungal diseases.

Glue is sold in a building materials store in a tight sealed package, it contains exact instructions for preparing the solution.

When choosing a mixture, it is necessary to give preference to plastic solutions that have good moisture resistance and resistance to temperature extremes, and also have adhesive properties.

Necessary materials and tools

All construction work begins with the preparation of the required material. First of all, you will need gas silicate blocks and what to put on - an adhesive solution of two types (cement and glue for cellular concrete). Also, water for wetting the blocks and a roll of waterproofing, it is better not to start construction without it.

Tools used in the work:

• Reinforcement and reinforced mesh;
• Saw;
• Container for mixing glue;
• Construction mixer or drill with a special nozzle;
• wall chaser;
• Planer, with its help you can eliminate the irregularities of the block;
• notched trowel;
• Rubber mallet;
• Roulette;
• Planks or pegs;
• Building level;
• plumb lines;
• Staircase or scaffolding;
• Cord;
• Corner.

Solution preparation

General rules for the preparation of the adhesive solution:

Observe the proportions, failure to comply with the specified number of components will lead to a violation of the technological properties of the solution.

• Pour dry ingredients into the prepared container;
• Gradually pour in purified water, thoroughly mixing the mass with a construction mixer or a drill with a special nozzle;
• Bring the solution to homogeneity and leave to rest for 5 - 10 minutes, during which time the glue will acquire the necessary properties;
• Mix again - the solution is ready for use.

Glue quickly loses its properties, so you can use it for a couple of hours.

Some experts practice installing gas silicate blocks on mounting foam, but this method has not yet been fully tested.

Installing the first row

Before laying the first row of gas silicate blocks, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work - check the evenness of the finished foundation, correct defects if necessary, clean the base from dust and dirt.

Two layers of waterproofing are laid on the surface of the foundation. As it is used:

• Ruberoid;
• Bitumen;
• Modern polymer compositions.

If the waterproofing is not installed, the gas silicate blocks will absorb moisture, the wall will eventually become damp and covered with mold.

A cement mortar 3 cm thick and a reinforcing mesh are placed on the waterproofing layer. Reinforcement is used to distribute the load and enhance the bearing capacity of the wall.

Work on the formation of the first row begins from the corner, the blocks are laid on a mortar of cement and sand. Builders suggest using simple tools to facilitate the laying of gas silicate blocks with your own hands - this is a cord and pegs.

At the corners and perimeter of the future building, install pegs, which are connected to each other with a cord, and conduct further masonry along the received guides.

The adhesive solution is applied immediately before laying the block, the end of the product is also lubricated with the solution. The blocks fit tightly to each other, it is important to constantly check the evenness with a building level, if there are irregularities, the position is corrected with a rubber mallet and an increase or decrease in the thickness of the mortar layer.

Laying the rest of the rows

After completing the installation of the first row, it takes time for the mortar to harden. Further laying of gas silicate blocks with your own hands begins after 2 hours, this time is enough to set the cement mixture and the position of the elements will remain unchanged.

During the laying of the second and next rows of the building, glue for cellular concrete is used, it is mixed in small batches, as it quickly loses its declared properties.

The technology does not differ from the installation of the first row, the only thing is that the thickness of the adhesive layer is several millimeters. Bricks are laid out in increments of half a block, closely pressed against neighboring elements and checked for evenness of lines.

To facilitate installation work in the summer, it is worth moistening the blocks with water.

Wall reinforcement

Every third or fourth row of masonry is reinforced. To do this, take a mesh or reinforcement based on metal or fiberglass.

In the event that a reinforcing mesh is taken, then it is simply laid on the adhesive solution between the rows of blocks. But it is better to use metal reinforcement bars.

Stages of block reinforcement:

• With the help of a wall cutter, two parallel lines are hollowed out along the entire length of the row;
• The resulting recesses are cleaned of dust and partially filled with glue;
• Reinforcing bars are laid, in places of interruption they overlap;
• The fittings are poured with an adhesive solution, the surface is leveled.

Window openings are reinforced along the bottom row.

After erecting the full height of the wall, the armored belt is poured, it will distribute the load and ensure the durability of the structure.

Reinforced belt installation process:

• A structure is pre-built from wooden boards and supports, carefully fixed, but it should be borne in mind that then it will have to be disassembled;
• U-shaped gas silicate blocks are laid on the boards;
• An iron reinforcing cage is placed in the recess of the block and poured with concrete.

The composition of concrete for reinforcement includes cement (1 part), gravel (3 parts), crushed stone (5 parts) and water. The mass should be of uniform medium density, it is better to use a concrete mixer for mixing.

Before pouring concrete, moisten the surface of the blocks - this will increase adhesion.

Masonry gas silicate in the rain

Everything about how to properly lay gas silicate and what is needed for this was described above, but many are wondering whether it is possible to lay gas silicate blocks in the rain or not.

It is difficult to answer this question, there is no consensus on this matter yet. Gas silicate does not tolerate strong humidity, it has a porous structure that quickly absorbs moisture and slowly releases it. But at the same time, before applying the adhesive solution, the blocks are wetted with water to increase the tenacity of the materials.

In the event that it is decided to carry out work in rainy weather, it is worth installing an awning over the installation site.

Winter work

Is it possible to build buildings from gas silicate only in the warm season, or is it possible to lay gas silicate blocks in winter? The construction of buildings from gas silicate blocks is possible both in summer and in winter.

Installation in the winter has its own characteristics:

• The choice of adhesive solution - it is strictly forbidden to use a cement-sand mixture, only anti-frost glue is used for work.
• Masonry is allowed only at a temperature not lower than -5 degrees, in conditions of normal humidity and not frozen structures;
• The construction site should be pre-insulated and heated with a heat gun;
• A big waste of time - the glue is applied immediately before laying the block, even a couple of minutes of delay can adversely affect the basic properties;
• When interrupting the installation work, carefully close the surface of the row with a film, after removing it, if necessary, clean the surface of the ice that has arisen;
• The blocks need to be warmed up first.

Since the laying of gas silicate blocks in winter is carried out on glue with antifreeze additives, you should carefully study the instructions for preparing the solution. It is important to preheat the water to 40 -65 degrees (the manufacturer indicates the exact figure).

The finished mixture is suitable for use for no more than 30 minutes, so it is worth kneading in small portions. Store the prepared glue in a plastic container with a lid.

Working with gas silicate blocks does not require a high level of skill, basic knowledge and compliance with all stages of the instructions are enough, so you can build the necessary structure with your own hands.

Let's take a look at a few tips from experts in the construction industry:

Gas silicate blocks have been used in all areas of construction for a long time, they have a large list of advantages, among which stand out - thermal insulation, speed of operation, ease of installation and affordable cost.