Block: surface bonding vs mortaring up | Construction and DIY projects | Forums

Okay...met with mason yesterday.  Got lines strung for footers and talked over the build.  He asked me if I wanted to go dry stack for sure.  We talked about it.  His take on it is; he will do it any way I want. 

His thought was this: based on his experience, he can lay block faster with mortar.  Since we are pouring the cores of the 10inch block/vertical rebar every 4-5ft/ bond beam on top; that we are already overbuilding the 'day light' basement.  We both like the idea of surface bonding the inside/outside with surface bonding either way.  I know that the surface bonding works the best on dry stack, we would do it for the added water protection and smooth surface on the outside and for a finished wall inside...and to a lesser degree some added strength.

He is bringing in two masons he works with during the week (we are doing this on weekends).  The two guys get $25 cash/hour. 

Once we get footings in, three masons will be able to lay this up in about 3 days (6-7hr days).

Current thoughts:

-I got a good deal on price for masons that are quality guys..efficient at building with block.

-I spend more for mortar, but will have a course or two less of block and will need fewer block on each course due to mortar joints...not a total wash for material, but there will be increased speed mostly due to no fooling around with shimming and that laying mortared block is what they are experts at.

-Since we are doing bond beam/vertical rebar/pouring cores we still have a hell of a over built wall.

...So...I can go either way and still get the 'basement' that is more than strong enough, still look good, meet our overall needs and wants.  Since I am hiring the labor the dry stack is not as critical from a DIY point.

At this point (got a couple of weeks to finalize decision) I am leaning towards mortaring the joints.

---What are you thoughts/pros/cons???  I appreciate the feed back.