The first layer is done with a normal thick mortar and I tried my best to get it level. It took me probably two hours to do the first layer and I let it set for a couple hours before moving on.
All the other layers are done with this thin very glue-like mortar that’s specially designed for these blocks with joints.
It was fairly easy to do the next layers as the first one was good enough that by following it the blocks went on pretty level. Because I’m a lazy piece of shit, I designed the measurements so that there was no need to cut the bricks until the upper layers. (And I made the Man to do that because I’m a weakling.)
After day 1 I made the Man drill in the holes for the beams that support the sauna benches. We didn’t have proper tools for it so he basically had to chisel out the holes. Not pretty but they will be hidden and I’m sure it’s very sturdy.
Day 2 of laying bricks was more interesting but harder as I added a cove for shampoo bottles, and made the wall in an L-shape to leave space for a narrow tall window.
The heavy lifting is done and I am so proud of myself! Sure my wall is not perfect but I will be putting several layers of plaster on one side, and wood paneling on the other, that will hide my mistakes. I just hope the wall is actually structually sound and stands the test of time.
There is of course still a lot of work that needs to be done but this part was a huge step forward.
Tomorrow we’ll work on the back wall; air vents, studs, and insulating that wall and the coldest corner. The other walls will have a vapour paper thingy (you can see the remnants of the old one) laid over them to keep the moisture inside the sauna and not escaping every which way. I also need to remember to add wiring for another lamp before we put back the panels.
Ps. I will be going to the sauna every other day when we finally get it back to working order.
