Jos Builders Abandon Compressed Bricks for Sandcrete Blocks

Many builders in Jos are now using sandcrete bricks to erect structures instead of the traditional Compressed Earth Bricks (CEB), Supreme reports.

Sandcrete bricks are masonry units manufactured from a mixture of cement, sand and water, while Compressed Earth Bricks(CEB) are made from a mixture of mud and water, using a wooden device.

Some of the builders who spoke on Monday in Jos explained that they preferred the sandcrete bricks mainly because of the culture of the people, availability of the materials, its cost effectiveness and acceptance among customers.

One of them, Mr Noel Awila, an architect, said in spite of the fact that the Compressed Earth Bricks (CEB) were cheaper as they cost N85 per unit, people still preferred sandcrete bricks which cost N220.

Awila said that the CEB had a major disadvantage over the sancrete bricks, as they must not be left under the rain, “else, they would get spoiled. And if builders must use the CEBs, they must use the sandcrete blocks or stones for foundation before building with CEB.

He also said that because of their sizes, a large number of CEB was required to erect a structure, unlike the sandcrete bricks of which a fewer number was needed to raise structures.

“Another thing is that during construction, it is not advisable to cut or break the CEB when working on an angle;so it is advisable to use the sandcrete bricks, ” he said.

Another architect, Gupar Klingwal, said that the sandcrete bricks were more acceptable than the CEB, adding, however, that CEB had an advantage because of its cooling effects.

“The CEB absorbs heat easily and makes a house cool when it is hot, “said Klingwal.

Mr Pius Babale, a Mason, said that he had used both type of bricks to erect structures, but that people were now turning to sandcrete bricks because they were easier to build with, so also Mr Adebo Adeyemi, another Mason, who said that sandcrete bricks were easier to manipulate during construction work than the CEB.

Mrs Pat Lar, a business woman who alongside her husband produced and sold CEB for many years, complained of poor patronage, now that people were shifting to sandcere bricks.

“The business has been very slow because of this development,” Lar said.