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I see a lot of guys laying block with the frog down and it drives me nuts
I was on a job in Springfield last month and the whole crew was setting the hollow side of the concrete block facing up. They said it makes the bed joint easier. But that frog is there to key the mortar in and make the wall stronger. I've been doing this twenty years and I've seen walls crack where they didn't key it right. Has anyone else had to fix work because of this?
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the_linda19d ago
Wait, they were putting the hollow side up on purpose? That's not just wrong, that's asking for trouble. The frog gives the mortar something to lock into, like a little pocket. Without that key, you're just stacking blocks on a slippery paste. No wonder you've seen cracks, that wall has no real bond. I'd make them tear it out and start over.
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Oh man, that's a total hack job. I shut down a site last year for the same thing, told the foreman the wall would fail inspection. You gotta check the prints, they usually specify frog up. If they fight you on it, just point to the first course they already laid and show how the mortar has nothing to grab. They'll grumble but they'll flip them.
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