Bricks and winter weather install questions

[Is this thing on]

Hello: guys/gals

I want to build a leanto shed thing on the side of my garage.
I plan on it being 8'x'24'x 6' at ends and 8' at peak, following the roof slope.
With 3 or 4 layers of cinder block, first layer level with ground as a base, and 2-3 layers above ground level ,then stick build.

The mortar used to build the brick layers, what steps are needed when doing this in winter temps, Do I need to add additives to the mix?
Plan is to try to get the brick part done if I can before spring if we don't get a ton of snow. but not sure if doing so in the freezing temps of winter will cause problems or not.
Thanks.

 

[Loose Nut Buster]

Yes the mortar will freeze and deteriorate rapidly after thawing..rendering them useless.
There are additives (calcium chloride, masonry antifreeze) you can add but need to follow instructions carefully and can be purchased at the block supply company and most likely not at the big box stores, as well as heating the sand with sand barrels.
Night time temps should not be much lower than 30-32°, you can also smother them in straw to help protect but not negating the antifreeze.

Sent from my SM-T387V using Tapatalk

 

[Will Allen]

Unless you build an enclosure and keep it heated you are wasting your time and money.

 

[yelchevelle]

Are you still in Florida? If so, you should be able to time your work where you don’t hit freezing temperatures. The only issues are when it gets below freezing. I work as far north as Nashville, and it can be a challenge this time of year to do masonry, but we usually can find a week or two window of warm weather to do what we need to. Most of our stuff is flatwork or below grade, so it’s easier to protect from freezing, but I wouldn’t think that would be a really big concern in Florida.

 

[Is this thing on]

Yes still in Florida, But this house is in Maine. And just above freezing and below freezing is a given this time of year.
Don't want to bother going up there for a week or two if it will fail . I can wait till warmer temps. Guess I will wait.

 

[gsmith22]

look to commercial work - they do masonry in the winter, but the tent what they are doing and heat the space continually until the mortar has cured at least several days. its hugely expense to do but its commercial construction where time is money. if you can wait, I would absolutely wait.

 

[ace10]

Winter isn't really a great time to try your hand at setting CMUs.

It's hard enough for a rookie DIYer to do it properly in ideal conditions.

 

[nadogail]

In my somewhat limited experience, weather is a factor to be considered during construction. Winter weather much more than summer.

Are you sure that waiting for better weather is not an option?

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

first layer level with ground as a base,

If you are really doing this temperature won't matter.
Without some type of footer it is going to fail.
I have seen one layer of block on a floating slab, not sure about 2-3 or more layers.

 

[greg66]

Did my 24x32 block garage in the dead of an Ohio winter kept the block dry heated water for mixing used freeze ban admixture in the mortar kept temperature in the tent at 45 degrees for 72 hours.... spent too much time on the commercial side of masonry work

 

[Awag]

You need to match the kind of foundation the garage has. You need a footing for the blocks to sit on.