VOBB Westbrook duplex


Michael King The Cajun Contractor

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Construction Photos - Louisiana - Two-Story Duplex

Mike Westbrook
(4255 West Main Street, Gray, LA - 6/10 of one mile from the exit off of Hwy. 90 (& LA 24 - the Houma exit) - approx. 60 miles west of New Orleans - on LA 24, this is located shortly after the McDonald's)
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(Mike's nick name for his project due to the quality of VOBB is "Ft. Apache".)

14.5 ACRES SUBDVIDED INTO A "PUD" PLANNED URBAN DEVELOPMENT
40 LOTS, ALL APPROVALS TO START CONSTRUCTION IN PLACE. BUYER CAN START PUTTING INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE IMMEDIATELY. BUILDERS OR DEVELOPERS WANTING MORE INFO CALL 985-637-6777.

FIRST FLOOR
Step # 1 - Dry-stack the VOBB blocks at the corners up to the half-height of the wall.

Curtis is starting to dry-stack the corners. He is placing a string.

The corner is stair-stepped to one-half height of wall. The electrical and TV outlets are cut and properly placed.

The "friendly building inspectors" are reviewing the progress.

One row of VOBB block is placed for all walls to be sure of the measurements.

The first row of the VOBB blocks to make the lintels are aligned and squared. A one-inch hole is drilled in the center of the VOBB for placement of the one-half inch rebar on a horizontal basis. Afterwards, additional VOBB blocks are dry-stacked on top of the first row and properly aligned. The grout is then poured into ALL cavities with rebar added on a vertical basis.

A four-foot lintel is made for a three-foot wide wide door or window. A seven-foot lintel is made for a six-foot wide door or window. Six inches on each end are used for support to hold up the lintel. As such, both ends are left unfilled from the grout until the lintel is placed on the wall. Other VOBB blocks will be stacked on top of the lintel. All cavities will be filled with grout. All cavities for the door and window lintels should have rebar inserted on a vertical basis. Making the lintels on the foundation allows you to work with the VOBB block much easier than up on the wall. This way the lintel should be made level and square on all sides. (Be sure to put down some wood or plastic if the lintel is made on a foundation. This is so the grout will not stick to the foundation.) It is very easy to pour the dry pea gravel concrete mix DIRECTLY into the cavities. Water should be added as needed to ensure a good mix. This method will save a tremendous amount of time as compared to mixing the aggregate first and then pouring it in the cavities (unless the concrete truck and pump are readily available).

For a door or window wider than seven foot, we recommend to use at least two rows of VOBB blocks with horizontal rebar. As additional, support, you can use anchor bolts and post-tension the blocks after the grout has dried.

Likewise, if the number of VOBB block above a door or window is less than two feet, or four rows of VOBB, it may be best to add a second rebar on the second row of the lintel.

Curtis - the building contractor - is standing with the crew. There is not a single mason in sight.

This is a view from the outside. The wall is straight due to the string. A string/line MUST be used and a level is needed to check on a regular basis the straightness of the wall.

A good drill to make the lintels and small rubber mallet is needed. (The handle of the mallet should be trimmed to be able to push down the VOBB clips into the grooves on the blocks. This will save a lot of time having only one tool to carry.) Note the electric box with the lip on the top and bottom so that it will not "fall" into the VOBB block.

A good saw to cut the rebar is very necessary (or some other similar tool).

It is most important to dry-stack the VOBB for each corner - correctly. The VOBB blocks should be dry-stacked to the half-height of the wall. All corners should be stair-stepped down to row number one. After all measurements are confirmed to be correct, then the grout should be poured/pumped into the VOBB on a vertical basis.

A line/string must be set FIRST to be sure the correct measurement and that the wall is straight.

The grout is poured/pumped into the three corners cavities on a vertical basis. After this, alternating cavities are filled up to approximately two to three inches from the top of the block. Rebar is added as desired (as per the engineer plans). If the VOBB blocks are not correctly stacked before the grout is poured, they will NOT be correctly dry stacked after the grout is poured/pumped into the cavities.

All cut-outs for the electrical, TV, telephone, plumbing, etc. outlets are cut and placed as needed. It is a lot easier to cut these VOBB blocks BEFORE rather than after the block has been dry-stacked onto the wall. (Use a regular electric saw with a good masonry blade.)

A complete row of VOBB should be dry-stacked in place to be sure the layout is correct for all walls before doing the corners very high.

A paint mark or tape should be placed to indicate where the rebar is in the foundation to properly pour/pump in the grout. This rebar becomes "hidden" after the VOBB block are stacked up on the wall.

Step # 2 - Dry-stack the VOBB blocks between the half-height of the corners and finish the corners to the full height for the first floor on a stair-step basis.

The VOBB block has an height of an exact six inches.

Interior walls - note the small paint marks so that he knows were the grout is located

Exterior walls

A good level is needed to check the straightness of the wall on a regular basis.

Here is a VOBB laborer taking a break from the hot Louisiana sun.

According to the building contractor, "The VOBB building he is constructing is so solid, that you could drive an 18-wheel diesel truck on it."

Step # 3 - Install the lintels and complete dry-stacking the VOBB blocks to the full height of the wall.

A four-foot lintel is placed over a three-foot wide window.

The exterior wall is complete. The interior wall is in-progress of being completed.

Exterior

Interior

Mike Westbrook is making his inspection of "Ft. Apache".

SECOND FLOOR
Second floor - view from inside

Owner and son are very pleased with the quality, simplicity and cost savings.

Ready to put the front porch up.

The VOBB walls are complete. This building is now ready to be finished - roof, etc.

Two-stories are dry-stacked up to twenty feet high using forty (40) VOBB, with each being exactly six inches high each.

ROOF & COMPLETION
Back of the duplex

Interior on the first floor showing the stairs going up to the second floor.

Interior on the second floor.

Front with roof and porch - The exterior wall is being coated with Portland cement. This is to fill the grooves, cracks, etc. and make a nice smooth surface. Afterwards, Stuc-O-Flex will be used to add color and to paint/seal the walls from water penetration. (We strongly recommend NOT to use plain stucco as it is cement based and will crack with the expansion/contraction of the block. All concrete/cement expands and contracts with heat and cold. This is an act of GOD.)

FYI: We recommend that the windows and door frames are installed as the VOBB block are dry-stacked. This will make sure that the windows and doors are level and square and also make sure they are properly placed inside the wall.

Exterior being finished after Stuc-O-Flex has been applied