QUESTIONS & FAQS

Masonry wall costs can be complicated due to all the anchors, insulation, architectural concrete masonry units available, load bearing or veneer, multiple colors and size of the concrete block. We have taken the RS Means Assemblies calculator and created some typical wall designs in concrete masonry and compared them to other competitive systems. The results may be surprising. See this link for the complete analysis. 

A cinder block is really an out of date term. 

Cinders as well as bottom ash are rarely available now due to power plants conversion to natural gas rather than coal. 

One specific negative of cinder block is the presence of popouts in finished walls due to iron and other non approved ASTM aggregates in the cinders or bottom ash. Cinders and bottom ash should be discouraged.

So many reasons: concrete doesn't rot, doesn't burn and more resistent to wind and storm damage. 

See the papers on these subjects by clicking the links above. Concrete block can be a single wyth wall finished both on the exterior and interiorfaces and installed by one trade. 

Concrete block is load bearing and is a beautiful veneer at the same time. Lightweight wood may be popular but concrete walls have a permanance that these wood frame walls do not. 

Both clay and concrete are permanent products. Architectural concrete masonry has numerous advantages. 

Among the most obvious are shape varieties and the ability of concrete block to be either load bearing or veneer. 

Ever thought color might make a difference. DecraStone offers 24 colors in each of its product face styles. Need a white and black combination in the same wall then that is easily supplied. 

Need a brick shape or an oversized shape in the same wall then DecraStone can supply both. These are just a few of the imaginative opportunities from DecraStone.

Water repellent is necessary for all exterior wall surfaces or any wall exposed to weather or moisture. RainBloc is used in all DecraStone products whether interior or exterior use to guarantee a better product.

Click here for more specifics.

After the best installation methods have been followed, a proper chemical cleaning may be necessary to remove concrete splashes, excess mortar, mud, retarders, heavy efflorescence, embedded stains, rust and surface soiling. 

Special cleaning products, which will remove these blemishes, are available from our warehouse. Specifically the greatest problem is efflorescence, which is caused by excessive water collection within the block and is most notable during winter conditions. 

Our architectural masonry units contain special formulated admixes to prevent initial efflorescence as well as deep-water penetration. Despite these preventative measures, efflorescence may occur due to improper storage techniques or constructed walls that allow water penetration to collect within the cells of the wall. 

If the water is not allowed to quickly exit the concrete block then the moisture may create the efflorescence. Extreme temperature swings only complicate the problem. Winter weather is especially a frustrating time. 

Cleaning measures that are recommended are provided on a pallet tag on each cube of product delivered to the job. 

Specific chemicals can be found here.

Effective matching of older existing jobs can be achieved within the limits of available raw materials. In order to achieve this, a sample of the block to be matched should be available for our representative. 

Care should be taken to understand that most walls have had atmospheric wear, dust impregnation to the surface, or improper cleaning, all of which can drastically change the original color.

 The original color is generally the color beneath the surface and is most often the color that should be matched. Removing a sample from the wall or the jobsite and re-splitting it is the best way to determine the original color.

• Ground Face units may be much harder to match because of special aggregates that are exposed by burnishing. The unit’s color matrix can closely be matched and, with some similar aggregates, can often be very acceptable.

• Split Face units can have a close match achieved by our technical staff. Changes may have occurred in the natural aggregates and cements since the original products were produced. Abutting these new walls with old ones will show some differences no matter whom the manufacturer. A sample panel will show up any color or texture issues.

A protective sealer on concrete masonry block can be usually be specified in situations where the color, ease of cleaning, protection from the elements may be a concern. 

This may apply to sealing either exterior or interior architectural concrete masonry. The post applied sealer must be compatible to the sealer that was applied to the DecraStone in plant. 

Best practices are to check with the producer of the DecraStone or view further information on the website for recommendations of sealer type. 

Click here for more specifics.

It is rare that products are inventoried for a specific job since each job is specifically produced.

 When a sales agreement is signed, the quantities for production are set for each shape, size, and color. Production may take weeks. 

Ground face block alone must have at least a week to cure before they are burnished. Decisions to change the quantities after production is begun will involve additional costs and delays in delivery. 

Proper quantity estimates are imperative for a smooth running job. Although not qualified to prepare the estimate because of the many eccentricities of the masonry trade, our representative is more than qualified to consult with you regarding proper use of each product.

 We generally produce the job in one continuous run in order to maintain quality. Therefore one should be aware of the problems that may be encountered when additional quantities are ordered after the job has begun. 

Years of practical experience have shown the masonry industry that there are specific mortar joints that react best to varying weather conditions and jobsite variabilities. 

The concave, v-joint are considered the best for these situations. However aestheticly they may not be the best.

 Others that are sometimes used but with warning are: flush and raked because they other a unique appearance. Please read our paper on mortar joint recommendations here for a very indepth view.

Most job stains on masonry can be prevented. For every problem there is usually a solution that may be simple or may be costly. 

We have examples in an article that cover many of the common problems. The best solution is to prevent the problems cause. 

It is rare that products are inventoried for a specific job since each job is specifically produced. When a sales agreement is signed, the quantities for production are set for each shape, size, and color. 

Production may take weeks. Ground face block alone must have at least a week to cure before they are burnished. 

Decisions to change the quantities after production is begun will involve additional costs and delays in delivery. Proper quantity estimates are imperative for a smooth running job. 

Although not qualified to prepare the estimate because of the many eccentricities of the masonry trade, our representative is more than qualified to consult with you regarding proper use of each product.

 We generally produce the job in one continuous run in order to maintain quality. Therefore one should be aware of the problems that may be encountered when additional quantities are ordered after the job has begun. 

Normal cleaning for interior applications and about every 10 plus years an exterior coating of high gloss acrylic sealer may be applied to keep the surfaces clean for atmospheric dirt may be applicable but not necessary. 

An integral water repellent is within each DecraStone product. This will help maintain the moisture resistence within the wall. 

Click here for more specifics

 Proper jobsite handling and storage involves keeping the block covered and dry to prevent weathering problems (such as efflorescence) during installation. 

• DecraStone Ground Face products should be moved with the utmost caution (not in a wheelbarrow), as careless handling can cause chipping and scarring. 

• Installed walls should be protected after each day’s work is completed to prevent water from collecting within each block or within the cavity of the wall. Straw should be placed around the foundation of the building to prevent mud stains and should not be removed until the building is landscaped.

• Inventory should be rotated and units should be drawn from at least three (3) cubes during installation for each wall. This process insures the proper distribution of the block. 

• Walls should be brushed and/or burlap bagged down daily to maintain a cleaner wall. This will eliminate most chemical cleaning. 

• DecraStone units that are field-cut with a wet saw should be rinsed with clean water to remove residue from the cutting operation; they should then be allowed to air-dry prior to installation in the wall.

• Proper architectural design details should be followed in order to prevent water incursion within the building shell thusly preventing efflorescence.

• Care should be taken to tool all mortar joints consistently. Joints tooled too early (when too wet) will look quite different from those tooled when too dry.  Mortar joints should be tooled in either a concave or ve joint only. Other joints increase the risk of moisture entering the wall. Raked joints are not recommended.

Not a difficult project for small jobs. Just click here for a PDF instruction. 

Or here for an interactive PDF

After the best installation methods have been followed, a proper chemical cleaning may be necessary to remove concrete splashes, excess mortar, mud, retarders, heavy efflorescence, embedded stains, rust and surface soil- ing. Special cleaning products, which will remove these blemishes, are available from our warehouse. Our PDF covers the proper chemicals and processes to getting a good looking job.

Yes, and  money can be saved. Stains, broken wall block, scratches, paint, markers, footprints and more are covered here in a PDF. Most damage is done on the job by subs that are not properly supervised. An easy remedy is to keep an eye on the finished walls.