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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3512
Registered: 8-27-2003
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Glass Block pros, por favor
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]
For those of you who know something about glass block:
Got a screaming Craig's List deal on some 8"X8"X4" glass block. Went to the local glass block store and showed them the photo (with out the glass
block of course), got complete instructions, the plastic spacers, the metal tie rods that go in the horizontal grout lines, the metal ties that are
meant to tie the ends to the concrete blocks, the grout, the expandable foam for the sides of the end blocks for expansion - everything.
Six weeks ago I stack about a half-dozen blocks on the floor with the plastic ties, the metal, the whole thing, draw a couple of very clear sketches
on how this is to be done, give it to the mason (a local guy who has done work for me in the past) who is very confident he can handle this little
job.
We then load the 48 quart ice chest with beer, ice and sandwiches and head out 30 miles to try to catch the north end of the southbound dorado.
When we get back at the end of the day the mason is putting the last of the grout in. The plastic spacers are still in the bags, the expandable foam
spray cans have their factory caps on, the metal that lays in the horizontal grout has been used but the ties to the cement blocks have not. In other
words, only glass block grout is holding these in.
I really don't care about the fact the grout lines are not pretty - it's a funky cabin in a funky camp. But we do sleep under these blocks and wonder
if they will withstand a screaming west wind or a 5.0 quake that occasionally hits. These blocks face north-west, if it matters. There is an
identical window on the opposite end of the cabin in the kitchen.
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Cypress
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Looks great! Strength? Will probably withstand any wind a regular block will withstand. Eathquakes are a different story.
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bajatravelergeorge
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I would say no big deal, but then I went through the big 7.2 quake in Baja Norte and had stuff falling all around me if it wasn't well secured. That
scared me enough to "quake proof" as much as I can. Sleeping with weak masonry above your head doesn't sound smart to me.
P.S. I never thought the area was able to produce a 7.2 quake after checking the areas faults. WRONG!
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Natalie Ann
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Word to the wise.... move the bed.
nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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stimbo
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Location: Crowley Lake, CA
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What Nena said.....
Or here's a few thoughts:
Looking at your interior photo it looks like you could stabilize the top row of glass blocks with a piece of trim that would span wall to wall and
wide enough to cover about an inch into the glass block. The trim would butt up against the rafter. This would prevent the entire mass from teetering
into your bedroom with a wind storm. It would just firm up the upper part of the glass block.
Secondly, you could build a 2x12" shelf that too would span wall to wall. Install this at the top of your window trim. This shelf would hopefully
deflect glass block that has imploded and is headed towards your pillows. Ouch!
And finally, barring starting the entire thing over, you could perhaps grind out the grout along the horizontal edges and see if you can't tie the
block into the existing house.
Good luck, Jim
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bigjohn
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Location: Mission Viejo, CA
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What, we don't need no stinkun spacers.......
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longlegsinlapaz
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Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
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Santiago, first of all, I gotta tell ya, I've got a previous conflict for any invite to come visit for the
week-end....WHICHEVER one is it!
Secondly, how long have those blocks been grouted in? I'd give it a sufficient cure time & then I'd put a ladder up there & I'd put my hand
on the center of those blocks & GENTLY push....if there is any give whatsoever, you've got your answer. I'd also test the outer
edges. But even if they don't flex at all, I personally wouldn't be sleeping under that area! If Nena & I do come, please deliver our AM coffee
out on the veranda where we'll be bunked down!
Hard to tell in the pics, but it looks like blocks are recessed only on the outside & flush with the surrounding wall surface inside? In other
words, less travel distance & warning if they do get blown in.
Do you & your better half sleep in hard hats & flack jackets?
Soulpatch, I respectfully disagree....most windows allow minimal airflow relieving a bit of pressure, unless they're fixed pane, plus a window frame
is screwed into the opening on all four sides. Santiago's blocks are not tied to the structure with anything but grout....a strong wind would wreak
havoc; plus it doesn't sound like any waterproof caulk was used, so I'd expect water leakage during the first rainstorm.
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Santiago
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Grouted in early October. Flush with the inside. Thought about the shelf/trim idea and will do that for sure. Maybe have a wrought iron window thing
built but put it on the inside. Or one of theose rope grids for loading cargo on ships - a nautical theme thing. Rainstorm? What's that?
Here's my real question: why did the mason seem so proud that he was able to do this without all the other stuff? I mean, I built a mock wall,
showing just how to do it, then drew sketches, got complete (well, I thought complete) agreement/understanding, go fishing for the day, come back and,
well, the blocks are in, sorta.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Well, for starters, you were not there when it was being built..........
Remember, when building in Baja, you must read God and Mr Gomez........ http://tinyurl.com/2a5my56
over and over and over again!!!!!!!
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stimbo
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Location: Crowley Lake, CA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Santiago
Grouted in early October. Flush with the inside. Thought about the shelf/trim idea and will do that for sure. Maybe have a wrought iron window thing
built but put it on the inside. Or one of theose rope grids for loading cargo on ships - a nautical theme thing. Rainstorm? What's that?
Here's my real question: why did the mason seem so proud that he was able to do this without all the other stuff? I mean, I built a mock wall,
showing just how to do it, then drew sketches, got complete (well, I thought complete) agreement/understanding, go fishing for the day, come back and,
well, the blocks are in, sorta. |
I think your mason was proud that he did the job so quickly and that you would be pleased..... oh well. BTW, how was the fishing? I hate to say it but
there's a reason there are so many fatalities after a Mexican quake. They don't reinforce their concrete (or glass block).
If your mason put in the horizontal rebar, then at least the block wall will be strong as one, solid unit. However, it was obviously not attached to
the adjacent framing. Another thought.... on the inside, you could also put two additional pieces of trim in a "V" shape to catch the corners of the
glass block. The point of the "V" would come to rest on the top piece of window casing. If you did that, the glass wall won't fall in and you could
sleep at night in stead of tossing and turning. The glass block was a nice addition to the house in spite of the headache you must have about now.
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
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Location: La Paz
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1. His way was easier for him to do.
2. His way took him less time.
3. He doesn't have to sleep under all that glass.
4. If you paid him by the project, faster rate of return to him for his time.
5. He never did like you & sabotaged the blocks to fall inward first strong wind.
6. He sincerely thought he was saving you materials costs.
7. He is "the mason" & resented you telling him how to do his job.
Pick one....or go for multiple choices out of the multiple choices.
I'm guessing you didn't ask him WHY he didn't do the work the way you directed him to? Obviously not, or he wouldn't have acted quite as proud for
doing it his way. I won't ask if the fishing made leaving him there unsupervised worth it?
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Paulina
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Jim,
Check your u2u, here is a photo of our guest bath as a reference.
P<*)))>{
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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willyAirstream
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Glass block won't absorb/bond with the grout so you only have only a mechanical connection - the ridges in the block. The end blocks have good
connections on 2 sides where they attach to conc blocks, but I would worry about strong winds. Only 2 courses of Glass blocks should be laid per day.
As mentioned, I would do a test by physically pushing on the blocks.
It would be best to remove and build correctly.
You could add an inside grille , but that is almost as much work/time as doing the blocks correctly. on edit - rods are drawn too thick here.
[Edited on 12-1-2010 by willyAirstream]
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bajajudy
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One thing that I noticed is that there will be a ledge on the outside for water to build up on. For our shower, we put the ledge on the outside to
insure no water would collect. I fear that you will have problems with leakage.
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stimbo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Paulina
Jim,
Check your u2u, here is a photo of our guest bath as a reference.
P<*)))>{ |
Hi Paulina -- Nothing has shown up in my U2U. Nice guest bath. We have a very similar glass block and tile pattern in our home.
Jim
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Santiago
Ultra Nomad
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Stimbo: good idea ont he 'V' - especially as a temp fix until the iron gets made.
ASWilly: that is what I had in mind.
BJ: I made them flush on the inside so I wouldn't have dust collection in a place that would be not be cleaned very often. This is in BOLA where the
annual rain fall isn't enough to wash the dust off the outside. Although once in every 3 or 4 years it will pour for 30 minutes and then the whole
camp floods anyway.
BG: That is a great book, have it on my shelf in the cabin somewhere.
LL: #1,2,4 & 7.
Paulina: You get to leave the toilet seat up in your house? sweet.
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stimbo
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Airstream's idea would be "bomber." Just make sure all of your anchor points are secure.
Paulina: Would that be a urine sample or a c-cktail resting on top of your glass block? Just askin'....
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willyAirstream
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| Quote: | | Paulina: You get to leave the toilet seat up in your house? sweet. |
| Quote: | | Paulina: Would that be a urine sample or a c-cktail resting on top of your glass block? Just askin'.... |
Too funny!! who would have guessed - so much humor in a bathroom pic ")
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durrelllrobert
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| Quote: | Originally posted by willyAirstream
Glass block won't absorb/bond with the grout so you only have only a mechanical connection - the ridges in the block. The end blocks have good
connections on 2 sides where they attach to conc blocks, but I would worry about strong winds.
[Edited on 12-1-2010 by willyAirstream] |
The mortar/grout between he blocks and within the recessed areas acts as a kystone once properly cured and even a huricain force wind will not alow
them to slide in a straight pllane (illustration on left). Becuase the blocks are 4 inch thick and all of the materials are uncompressable the
mortar/grout bond would have to shear and seperate and the blocks would have to rotate and be displaced as shown on right illustration. I certainly
wouldn't worry about sleeping under this.
[Edited on 12-1-2010 by durrelllrobert]
[Edited on 12-1-2010 by durrelllrobert]
[Edited on 12-1-2010 by durrelllrobert]
Bob Durrell
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Paulina
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| Quote: | Originally posted by willyAirstream
| Quote: | | Paulina: You get to leave the toilet seat up in your house? sweet. |
| Quote: | | Paulina: Would that be a urine sample or a c-cktail resting on top of your glass block? Just askin'.... |
Too funny!! who would have guessed - so much humor in a bathroom pic ")
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I hate open toilets. They look like gaping mouths. I'll be sure to take a proper photo in Dec. to replace this one in my photo files!
There is a candle on the top of the shower wall. Sometimes one might find a c-cktail there in the form of a Tecate can...
Stimbo, the u2u was for the other Jim. Sorry about the confusion.
P<*)))>{
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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