Bricklaying for Beginners
Have you ever watched an experienced bricklayer working? The way they apply the mortar in thick, generous layers, before adding the bricks to the stack is pure craftwork. The most stunning brick walls and masonry details beg attention from all that pass by, just like a great painting hung in a gallery. Brick laying is truly an art form that must be approached with attention to detail and knowledge.
But what if you’re totally new to bricklaying? No Worries! Today, our experienced bricklaying professionals in Sydney will highlight the art of bricklaying, and how you can ensure the best-looking brick in the neighbourhood. If you’re simply just starting out, these are our top tips for bricklaying.
1. Practice Bricklaying
Anyone can learn to lay bricks, but this learning process might take some time, practice, and exposure to many different projects. One of the best ways to do practice bricklaying is by building a practice pyramid, for example, starting with 4 bricks at the bottom to 1 at the top. It takes plenty of know-how as well as understanding to learn the true art of laying bricks.
2. Preparing the Site/Foundations
The next step in the bricklaying process is site preparation. It is recommended to prepare the site beforehand as this gives you plenty of advantages and a chance to get things right the first time. To begin with, as a bricklayer it is necessary to create a good working zone around the building area. Up next, it is important to bring all the bricks you need for the job into relatively close proximity and stack them at an appropriate height so they do not fall and get damaged unnecessarily. Also, you need to take weather conditions into consideration as it will help you decide where to stack the bricks before you start your project.
Moving further, a good concrete foundation is a must. If not, then you need to make sure you have a solid foundation or ‘footing’ before you start laying bricks for your brickwork project. Additionally, you also establish what is needed before building, for instance, if the brickwork project is above a certain size, you will likely need planning permission beforehand.
3. Mixing the Mortar
Mortar is a kind of glue that holds bricks together. It is a mix of sand, cement and water. A basic mortar consists of 4 parts of sand with 1 part of cement. Then, when it’s thoroughly mixed, you add the water. Generally, this is done in a cement mixer but you can do this by hand as well. The perfect thickness can be hard to achieve at first but comes with practice. Also, it is important that the colour of the mortar goes well with the bricks since it is always visible and should go well with the aesthetics of your building.
4. Putting Mortar On The Brick
The next step of the process requires you to put mortar on the bricks. The best way to do it is by holding the brick in one hand and your trowel in the other. Moving on, scoop some mortar onto the trowel and spread it onto the brick so that it evenly covers all parts of the brick surface. Gradually with practice, you will know how much mortar you should put on the trowel and how to get an excellent finishing.
5. Laying the Bricks
When laying bricks, the vertical joint should be staggered as this creates what’s known as a stretcher or running bond, one of the most popular types of bond in bricklaying. Place the fully mortar-covered brick and gently push it up to the upright joint to achieve the desired width. You can also wipe off the excess mortar with your trowel and either place it on the next brick or add it back to the mortar. Every time you place a brick, give the brick a quick tap with your trowel to make sure it is placed correctly.
Need help with your brickwork project in Sydney? Contact the experts at Tangara Brick Co. in Sydney today. Tangara Brick Co is the leading bricklaying company based in Sydney with over 25 years of experience in the bricklaying industry. Whether it’s new builds, extensions or retaining walls, Tangara Brick Co’s residential and commercial bricklaying & block laying services are well-known around Sydney.
