I have an old concrete brick structure with cement floor, with high tin roof all in good shape. I would like to add a restroom in it. How can I securely build a wall? It's my first time trying this type of project, so I was wondering if I have to break up the floor to anchor the wall. Thank you.
if it is an inside wall off the floor.no problem.wall should be double brick or 8thick.
clean the floor where the wall will be with muriatic acid be sure to wear a mask to protect you from the fumes, then place anchors of some type in the motar joints of the existing walls that you are tying to that is all the support you will need,approx. every 3 joints or layers.
It all depends on the builder, and the part of the country. Where there is cold weather in the winter, you will find houses built with better insulation Whether or not a house has brick on the outside, is up to the builder, and often the buyer. If he orders it as a trim, the price is raised by the builder. Many homes are built with a stucco exterior. I have found them in California, Florida, and Texas.. and Arizona. It holds up to the element of heat, better than wood siding. All brick homes are well known in Texas. They serve to insulate the houses there, and holds in the coolness. All homes have air conditioning there. Swamp coolers are refrigeration with a water hose that makes a cooling breeze. Just the same, but the cost is much less than an A/C unit. So brick houses are not the commono dwelling, and where you find them, they are usually much more expensive that a wooden shake and shingle home.
Assuming you are going to use cement blocks (8 or 10) for this new wall, the starter rows which are the bottom and the vertical row to tie to the existing wall should be anchored. You can use anchor bolts which are drilled into the floor and wall. These would protrude into the hollow portion of the cement blocks and then fill with mortar. We call the bottom row the starter row. Make sure you use a level when setting your blocks. Run a chalk line on the floor to keep your blocks straight. Stagger the blocks as you build the wall to keep the design in check. Break the half blocks clean. These will be used on the ends, every other row. Your anchor bolts can be spaced every 2 feet or so. If you plan on going all the way to the ceiling, use a plum-bob to keep the wall vertically straight. Measure from the existing outer wall along the ceiling and set your plum-bob so the point touches the floor. Now you can chalk a line along the floor and you are all set with your parameters. Good luck!
