How to fill hole in brick/block wall? Last block at top?

[David Pearson]

G'day.

There are various holes that I need to fix. One of them is in my knowledge.

Hole Number 1 is in a concrete-block wall. I can see how to start filling it up with blocks and mortar, starting from the bottom. But how do I fill the final gap at the top? When I push the block (or chopped-down block) into this final hole, will this not just push the mortar through into the cavity? Maybe it is easy, but I have not done this or anything like it before.

Hole Number 2 is... brick-shaped and -sized, where I pulled a lintel out of the wall. (Definitely safe in this case, in case you are worried about me...). But I guess the answer to Number 1 will also apply here?

Thanks very much, D Pearson.

[The Natural Philosopher]

stuff mortar in the crack. You can fill up to 6 inches with very thick strong mortar.

Of course if you want it to match existing brickwork, its going to take time with a bolster to cut each course in..

[meow2222]

to some extent yes. Then you fill up as required. Or you can lay mortat under the block, not on top, place, then fil the top gap.

NT

[Rick]

Answer for hole 1 - say a window sized hole I do this in stages, I build the wall neer the top, say 1 brick away, and let be for a day. THis stops it all moving as you mess arround in the next step. Next put in a final row of blocks, with a ridge of mortar at the back, the ridge does not have to be neet, let it be a day finally push mortar tight into the last bit of gap, the bits of ridge of mortar you left will stop the stuff pushing straight through.

Answer for hole 2 = use final 2 steps for hole 1.

Finally I reckon a pro will do this differently.

Rick

[Rob Morley]

I don't know about pros, but I've thought of maybe using a bit of UPVC plaster bead or similar wedged around the edge of the hole to stop the mortar from falling through the back.

[Rick]

When you fill in the bulk of the hole, in the first stage I descibe, you can use your hand - with appropriate protective gloves. The harder bits are when you get to the top ......

[Lobster]

I'm always hearing how you mustn't get cement on your skin because of potential burning - indeed, there's a nice(?) photo at

but I have to say that not once have I experienced even any discomfort, despite years of pratting about with wet cement on my hands, and TBH these days I never even bother specifically trying to protect my hands from it. Is it something that some folk are maybe more susceptible to than others?

I remember once, years ago, having to paddle through an ankle-deep puddle of highly cementitious water in my trainers (long story), and not having the opportunity to get cleaned up for ages afterwards, and being quite worried about it - but nothing happened at all.

David

[Rob Morley]

A bloke I used to work for told a story of a labourer he was working with on a big pour who got his rigger boots full of slurry - he didn't notice anything until he was washing his feet later and all the skin came off.

[David Pearson]

Thanks everyone, I know what to do now.

-David P.

P.S. top-posting is sometimes the best.

[Chris Bacon]

I should hope so, and I hope it's a deep one.

Considering your general and obvious lack of savvy, with DIY as well as anything else, may I take this opportunity to say that I hope that your ludicrously inept efforts combined with your obvious ignorance result in a catastrophe (for you) leading to your walling-in, or the collapse of whatever hovel it is that you may be bodging upon your pointed head.

Goodbye.