Building a garden wall, a planter, a mail box enclosure or even an outdoor kitchen can be as easy as “Stack and Stucco” with QUIKRETE QUIKWALL Surface Bonding Cement.
Project Instructions:
When working with QUIKWALL, rubber gloves and safety glasses should always be worn during mixing and placing procedures.
Step 1: Ensure a solid footing or base slab for both structural and non-structural walls.
NOTE: it is important to check local building codes for construction requirements in your area; footings should be a minimum of twice the width of the concrete block (for example, an 8″x8″x16″ block would require a 16″ wide footing) and extend below the frost line to prevent shifting during freeze-thaw cycles.
Step 2:
Stage the first course of block and snap a chalk line on each side of the block wall as a reference line to ensure corners are square and walls are straight.
Step 3
Mix QUIKWALL.
NOTE: each 50 pound bag of QUIKWALL will require about a gallon of water – additional water can be added in small amounts to achieve a workable mix. The proper consistency is achieved when the wet QUIKWALL will “hang” on a trowel held at a 90 degree angle.
Step 4:
Remove the blocks and lay a 1/8 inch bed of QUIKWALL on the footing – the QUIKWALL mix should be workable but firm enough to support the weight of the first course.
Step 5:
Set the bottom course.
TIP: check your alignment and level every 3 to 4 blocks.
Step 6:
Once the first course is set, dry-stack the remaining block in a running bond pattern to the desired height – all corners should use an interlocking pattern.
Step 7:
Thoroughly dampen the block wall with water – dry block will draw the water from the mix making it difficult to finish and can cause inconsistent color and cracking especially in hot temperatures.
Step 8:
Apply a consistent 1/8 to 1/4 inch coat of QUIKWALL to both sides of the block. Use a square finishing trowel held at a 45 degree angle and work from the bottom of the wall to the top covering the entire surface of the wall.
Step 9:
Cure the entire surface with a fine water mist.
What is needed for the job
Supplies
- 50 lb. bags of QUIKRETE® QUIKWALL® Surface Bonding Cement
- QUIKRETE® 5000 High Strength Concrete Mix (if footing is required)
- 8″x8″x16″ concrete block
- 8″x8″x8″ concrete block
- Chalk line
- Level
- Square finishing trowel
- Mortar tub or wheelbarrow OR Machine mortar mixer (optional)
- Mixing hoe
- Rubber mallet
- Bucket
- Mason’s string
- Masonry trowel
- Garden hose with spray attachment
- 10 oz. QUIKRETE® Stucco & Mortar Color (Liquid) (optional – 1 bottle per bag)
- Rubber gloves
- Safety glasses