The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:01 am**

Just wondering what other people would do.

I am in the middle of a job which entails building a retaining wall before I can lay all the block paving. At the moment the wall is two thirds built and half the block pave edgings are in place. Here is my worry having laid brick on tuesday turned up yesterday to see where the frost has just damaged the surface of the pointing, even though it was covered. So knowing it was going to be colder last night than the night before left site and laid nothing.

Gone in to day with a themometer and ithe shade where the wall is being built it was reading -1c at around 10.30am in sun it was around 3c. Decided to leave it again but it is now getting to the point where I have only been able to do 5 days work in the past 3 weeks due to the weather. Really getting me down.

I would like to know wether you all think I have made the right choice to not lay or should I have took the risk to lay and hope that the frost doesnt damage the fresh mortar??

Posted: **Thu Feb 11, 2010 1:08 pm**

personally, i think you have made the right choice.
If there is frost damage even when covered, it is best to wait till it warms slightly.
tbh, the sand is usually frozen anyway and this is a good indication that brickwork on garden walls is a no-no.
It's really frustrating that you can't finish jobs due to the weather. We will all be complaining its too hot in the summer!

Posted: **Thu Feb 11, 2010 2:21 pm**

I wouldn't take the risk with a retainer wall. As Dan says it's frustrating, but that's the nature of this job - 4 months to lose money, 4 months to break even and 4 months to make hay.

Only a fool would work on those terms, yet we do it because we couldn't work any other way!

Posted: **Thu Feb 11, 2010 2:41 pm**

i wouldnt lay bricks in the current temperatures m8
I have been stripping a roof and cutting down shrubs the last 2 days,not the finest ,but it pays the bills
LLL

Posted: **Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:43 pm**

even though its cold and you are meant to be using it as temperatures are rising have you been using frost proofer additive in your mix?

i've been fitting a 9k oak stair case today right day non stop working with our joiner, love learning new stuff feel empowered haha proper twisting job 5 newels open tread with glass risers and trying not to scratch it and squeeze it in with no play either side. good day though

Posted: **Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:15 pm**

Thanks guys Thought I was right being cautious but you always get a nagging in the back of your head wondering if you made the right decision to not work.
What made me realise today though was the frozen MOT when bag was split it came out in lumps ha ha

And merchant only bagged it up last night. :rock: :p

Posted: **Thu Feb 11, 2010 10:14 pm**

The stone being tipped out of the wagons into the paver early this morning could be described as a "little lumpy"

Still laid 160t of black today and finished the job!

The Brew Cabin

Over cautious?