How to Build a Concrete Block Wall Using a Stretcher Bond

In this video you will learn how to build a concrete block wall.

The tools that you will need are:

Mortar pan

Trowel

Brush

Plumb bob

String

Straightedge

And brick support for profiles

The materials that you will need are:

Mortar

And concrete blocks

Don’t forget to use Personal Protective Equipment, including:

Safety Gloves

Reflective Jacket

Safety Helmet

Safety Shoes

and Dust Mask

Before you begin building setup the profiles to guide the first course. Here we have used concrete blocks as profiles and bricks to hold the strings in place.

Make cement slurry by mixing one part of cement over ten parts of water. Using a brush, apply the slurry on the ground between the profiles so that the ground doesn’t absorb the water from the mortar bed.

Ensure that you follow all instructions specified the mix design and method statement.

You may now lay the mortar bed for the first course of the first wall. Maintain a thickness of 12-15 millimeters when applying mortar. Begin laying the first course by placing the Quoin Block in a Stretcher position. Adjust the block, aligning it with the profiles.

Apply half a centimeter of mortar on the Heading side of the Quoin block. Now, place the next block, also in Stretcher position, to take the second space. Align the block with the profile.

Continue to place more blocks in stretcher position till the end of the course. Ensure that all the blocks are aligned with the profiles.

Once the last block has been placed, you may proceed to make the first course of the second wall. Start by applying cement slurry on the ground. Now lay a mortar bed of 12 to 15 millimeters. Apply mortar on portion of the Quoin Block that will make contact with the first Stretcher of the second wall. Place the First Stretcher. Continue the same process to complete the rest of the course.

Once the course is laid, adjust the blocks to ensure that they are aligned with the profiles.

Check the level of the first course using a Spirit Level placed on top of a straightedge.

Now that the course is leveled and aligned, use a trowel to apply mortar into perpends, inserting it into gaps to fill the joints.

Set up the profile for the second course of the second wall using the Quoin and the half block at the end of the course as shown here.

Half blocks are placed at the outer ends of every alternate course so that successive perpends are offset.

Apply mortar on the side of the Quoin that will make contact with the next block. Here, we also apply mortar on the side of the last Block on the outer edge as there is only one block to be placed to fill the remaining space.

Now lay a mortar bed of 12-15 millimeters. Place the last block to complete the second course of the second wall.

Shift the profile to the second course of the first wall using another half block on the outer edge.

Apply the mortar bed for the first Stretcher from the Quoin. Also apply mortar on the side of the Quoin block where it will make contact with the next block.

Place the first Stretcher block and adjust it so that it is aligned with the profiles.

Apply mortar for the next block and place it in position, making adjustments to make sure that it is aligned with the profile.

Now, apply mortar on the sides of the previously laid blocks that will make contact with the block that will take up the penultimate position. Apply the mortar bed. Place the block to complete the course. Make sure that it is leveled with the string and aligned with the profiles.

Use the trowel to insert mortar into perpends, ensuring that there are no gaps between the blocks.

Repeat these steps till you’ve reached the desired height.

When you have completed laying your final course, ensure that perpends and mortar beds on all surfaces are filled and leveled with mortar.

You have now learnt to build a Concrete block wall.