Concrete footings Mix, Pond wall etc

[www.GymRatZ.co.uk]

Time has come to get some more stuff to do the pond wall footings. Mix suggested by a neighbour is

3 x 10mm/dust, 2 x sand, 1 x cement.

Wall will be cellular block to about 4' high with first/2nd course below ground level. Vertical re-bar through blocks

Couple of questions though..

- First, is "sand" suitable for concrete bit and mortar?

- Also, there has to be a step in footing as on a slope so could I run a course or 2 of normal concrete blocks (laid flat) on the lower foundation step to bring it up level with the upper then use cellular blocks all-round ?

Cheers Pete

[Roger Mills]

There's more than one type of "sand"! Use sharp sand for the concrete and building sand for the mortar.

Levelling up with (solid) concrete blocks laid on their side is fine.