Why have I never heard of anything like FORMABLOK?
What shapes does FORMABLOK come in?
Do I need to purchase all four styles of forms?
Can I make these blocks at home or out of my left over concrete and resell to the public?
Why will people want to use these blocks compared to others?
Do I need heavy equipment to build my retaining wall?
What if my engineer is concerned of the strength of the block?
What is FORMABLOK?
Why are the forms made out of plastic and aluminum?
What are the dimensions of a FORMABLOK?
What does a block weigh after it is poured?
Why does the form come apart in 3 pieces?
Why are the ends of the block round?
How tight should you pull the retaining straps?
Do these forms require a release agent?
What kind of mix do I use?
Do I need a cement mixer?
Can I use left over cement before it hardens from other jobs?
How can I make my block look different than everyone elses?
What does it cost to pour a standard full block?
How long does it take to cure?
Do I need to vibrate my form?
What if I want to pour many blocks at a time?
Does the block require a footing?
Should you build your retaining wall with a "batter" to it?
How high of retaining wall can you build?
Back filling?
Is a drain pipe necessary behind the wall?
I have a large rock out cropping in the middle of where I want my wall to go?
What is a soil mat, and where is it needed?
What is a ditch liner?
Why have I never heard of anything like FORMABLOK?
It is a new patent pending product that is new to the market place.
What shapes does
FORMABLOK
come in?
Only two shapes are available, Full block and half block, which can either be in a dowel top or flat top design. A half height version of both is also available.
Do I need to purchase all four styles of forms?
The most popular form is the full block dowel top, followed by the full block flat top. It is on rare occasions you need a half block dowel top, and even rarer occasions you need a half block flat top.
Can I make these blocks at home or out of my left over concrete and resell to the public?
Absolutley, we encourage that. Not everyone will want to make their own block.
Why will people want to use these blocks compared to others?
It really is as simple as this, most precast landscaping blocks on the market today require a carefully prepared compacted base with further core filling and compaction with each course laid. To complicate matters more when you start producing tight radius turns each block requires cutting. Then comes time for the cap which needs individual cutting and fitting and in most cases mortaring. This drives retaining wall building costs through the roof.
Do I need heavy equipment to build my retaining wall?
No, keeping in mind a full block does weigh 32kg(70lbs). With the FORMABLOK you can follow the lay of the land, ideal for sensitive stream sides and for construction and stabiliztion in environmentally sensitive areas.
What if my engineer is concerned of the strength of the block?
That’s the beauty of FORMABLOK, even the most discerning engineers can design a custom concrete mix for the most demanding of projects.
What is
FORMABLOK
?
It is a reusable concrete block form designed for pouring your own interlocking landscaping blocks.
Why are the forms made out of plastic and aluminum?
For durability, no-chance of rusting, easier cleaning, and light weight for shipping.
What are the dimensions of a
FORMABLOK
?
The standard full block is approx. 400mm(16")long, 200mm(8") wide, 200mm(8") high. The standard half block is approx. 200mm(8") dia., 200mm(8") high.
What does a block weigh after it is poured?
With a regular concrete and sand mix the standard full block weighs approx. 32kg(70lbs). The standard half block weighs approx. 13kg(30lbs).
Why does the form come apart in 3 pieces?
This allows the top and bottom lids to come off squarely, the aluminum then can peeled away from around the block which allows the user to cast what ever they desire into the block face.
Why are the ends of the block round?
This allows the block to articulate in any direction without the need of any cutting.
How tight should you pull the retaining straps?
Make sure the lids are seated down properly (aluminum tangs to the bottom of the slots), then tighten straps firmly.
Do these forms require a release agent?
Yes, as with any form it should be oiled to help prevent the concrete from sticking.
What kind of mix do I use?
The simplest is to use 3 parts sand to 1 part concrete powder, or 5 parts navijack and 1 part concrete powder but that being said there is absolutely no end to what mixes you can use right down to the addition of broken glass or even peat.
Do I need a cement mixer?
No, All you need to get started is a 5 gallon bucket and a electric drill with a paddle.
Can I use left over cement before it hardens from other jobs?
Absolutely, that is one of the reasons FORMABLOK was designed, to turn waste into a usable product.
How can I make my block look different than everyone elses?
You can start by adding your own colour, or with the addition of various form liners, or even your own personal monogram insert.
What does it cost to pour a standard full block?
Usually costs around two dollars a block.
How long does it take to cure?
As long as the tempurature is above freezing, you can usually strip the form after 24 hours, although concrete takes up to 30 days to fully harden to maximun strength.
Do I need to vibrate my form?
It never hurts vibrate your block to assist in releasing any trapped air, especially with a dry mix. If you don’t have a vibrator available, then a couple of quick shakes by hand will settle in the mix in the mold.
What if I want to pour many blocks at a time?
For the locals we currently fabricate a pouring station that clamps 6 full block forms and 1 half block form that eliminates the need for the straps, it also vibrates.
Does the block require a footing?
No, as long as the ground is stable enough to be hand tamped. If it is soft mud it will need to be stiffened up with clear 1" rock, tamped down to provide a firm base
Should you build your retaining wall with a "batter" to it?
Yes, as with any dry stack wall we recommend about a 8 to 1 batter, another words for every 8 inch high block the top should lean back into the fill about 1 inch
How high of retaining wall can you build?
As with any dry stack wall, when over a meter in hieght, it is recommended that "geo-grid" is sandwiched between the blocks and compacted into the backfill.
Back filling?
As with any wall, the higher the wall the more critical the backfill, free draining material with good compaction when heights reach over a meter.
Is a drain pipe necessary behind the wall?
In most situations no, because of the free draining nature of the block.
I have a large rock out cropping in the middle of where I want my wall to go?
With FORMABLOK your wall is completely "steerable" to go around any unmovable object, or plants or trees you may want to save.
What is a soil mat, and where is it needed?
A soil mat is usually needed where you have a sloped bank where the materials are continually raveling down. With the FORMABLOK you dig in the base coarse at the toe of the bank, then lay the remaining courses up the face of the bank with the backs of the blocks against the face of the bank following the natural repose of the slope.
What is a ditch liner?
That is where FORMABLOKs are placed on there sides starting at the low point of a ditch to prevent water scouring.