An Update

The bond beam is pretty much complete now. Due to a different way of laying the bottom row of block in some of the north wall, the wall height came out a little shallow in several places. To compensate for that I just made the bond beam a little thicker in those areas. Net result, top of bond beam is at desired elevation (which means my floors will be level). To add that thickness I had to frame up the sides some (see pic 1). This method of framing worked well on the lintel beam, so I just used that method again.

On a different subject, I decided to make my first trial runs using the surface bonding cement. This is the mortar like stuff that contains fiberglass (for structural strength) and a waterproofing agent that is used to coat the inside and outside of dry-stack built block walls. I mixed up two small batches of SBC and troweled them on. See pic 2. It goes on pretty easily and trowels out smooth. I ran out of material so there is a small uncoated area in the middle. The instructions said to feather it out on top of your footers a little to seal the wall-footer contact area. My girlfriend said to go buy her a trowel because she wants to get in on this too. So, I’m off to the building supply store (again).