masonry work in low temps
 

is there a common low temp below which masonry work should be avoided, like 40 F ?

e.g. i just did some brick work and about 4 hr later the temps got below 40. is that bad?

thanks

Anything above freezing.

It can be done in cold temps, but it sure is a hassle. Additives, covering your work so it doesn't freeze, etc.

40F air temperature is no problem. Block basements here can be excavated and built at 0F.

A long as the mortar is not saturated when it freezes, there is no problem and your mortar did not freeze. Due to absorption of water by the brick and use of the water in the hydration of the cement, the mortar joints are not saturated after 6-12 hours of laying the brick. Any subsequent moisture and higher temperatures reactivates the curing of the mortar even if it has frozen.

Strength is also not a problem since weak mortar (compressive strength) is rare and the ASTM C270 specifications (Appendix 1) recommends to use the weakest mortar possible and still carry the load. Brick rarely carries any real load.

Dick

thanks everyone. how about painting masonry, can it be painted 12-24 hrs after laying or should i wait a few days to fully cure?

thanks

Wait.

Dick

like how long?