Frozen blockwork

Dunpony

I have the builders in and they laid the 1st course of blocks for my new stables yesterday morning. The rain then set in, clouds cleared about 4ish and everything was frozen this morning. Nothing was covered.

I could stick my finger into the mortar this afternoon.

Does anyone have any advice on how to go ahead? Do I need to insist that the blocks be replaced? They will be concreted in on one side, will this be enough? No-one is going to want to start again!

ds1980

speak to builders in morning if they don't redo sack them and find a better builder. We've been having work done recently and gets covered in hessian and insulation every night. There's also temperatures and best practice for laying brickwork in cold weather that builders should adhere to.

globalds

http://www.thebuildinginspector.org/apps/blog/show/10754685-building-during-cold-weather-

tony6403

Cold weather increases the time it takes for mortar to set and strengthen.
If the blocks were left uncovered and were wet through when laid this will add to the drying time.
The builder might have added some form of anti freeze to the mix which could help - but these additives are not accredited in British Standards.
If the mortar has "blown" or expanded then it is no good.
I would be worried about a builder who did not carry out such a basic job as covering at this time of year.
I imagine that the stables are more than 30 m2 and the work is subject to building regs. If so I would be ringing building control for their comments.