| When you build with bricks you're creating | | | | throwing the right mortar. Masonry mortar is a |
| something that can be appreciated for | | | | mixture of Portland cement, sand and water. |
| generations. It's not uncommon to find structures | | | | Other ingredients include lime and gypsum to |
| in complete ruin except for the masonry such as | | | | improve workability and control setup time. |
| a brick chimney or wall. | | | | Believe it or not the strongest mortar mixture |
| The reasons for do-it-yourself bricklaying vary, | | | | isn't always the best for the job. Gone thankfully |
| but the primary reason seems to be cost. Others | | | | are the days when do-it-yourselfers had to mix |
| include learning a valuable skill for starting a new | | | | mortar fom scratch, often with disasterous |
| business, or simply learning a new hobby. Planning | | | | results. These days mortar comes premixed in 50 |
| a bricklaying project begins with gathering ideas | | | | - 100 lb bags. Today you simply select the |
| and envisioning the end result. Don't overlook this | | | | correct mix for the job at hand. |
| step. Masonry is permanent so be cautious and | | | | Type N mortar is often called for because it |
| remember you need to do it right - the results of | | | | offers a good blend of strength and durability. It's |
| your efforts will be on public display for a long, | | | | commonly used in non-load-bearing projects such |
| long time. | | | | as freestanding walls, BBQ grills and chimneys. |
| As you begin your planning it's important to | | | | Type S mortar is a high strength mixture for |
| consider size and scale, location, material selection, | | | | exterior use in foundations, brick and block |
| drainage and appearance. Make deatiled drawings | | | | reatining walls, driveways, walks and patios, |
| of the planned project so to eliminate design | | | | Type M mortar is a very high strength mortar |
| flaws and aid in estimating building costs. | | | | for load-bearing exterior stone walls. |
| Visit your local home improvement center or | | | | There are other types mixes for special purpose |
| hardware store and collect samples of the | | | | but fo the sake of simplicity I left them out o this |
| material you have in mind and evaluate the way | | | | article. |
| they blend with your existing landscaping. | | | | Mixing mortar is simple these days. I dump one to |
| Depending on whether you plan on pouring a small | | | | two bags of mix into a large wheelbarrow, push it |
| slab or building a brick archway, estimate the | | | | to one side and slowly add water until I get the |
| dimensions of your project as accurately as | | | | right texture I want. If it's too thick , it will fall off |
| possible. This eliminates extra shopping trips. Since | | | | the trowel in a heap and not in the smooth line |
| your using brick the local brickyard is where you'll | | | | you want. Add to much water and it's messy and |
| find the best supply of bricklayers material. They | | | | weak. Just follow the manufacturers directions |
| also carry the tools you are going to need. | | | | and you should be fine. If you've never mixed |
| Speaking of the tools, and to work effectively | | | | mortar before experiment in small batches until |
| you are going to have to buy or rent some | | | | you find the mixture that works. Keep note of |
| special purpose tools. I suggest that if this is a | | | | your mixture ratios to use later. |
| one-time project then by all means rent the tools. | | | | Don't mix mortar in large batches unless you are |
| What follows is a suggested list of tools for doing | | | | willing to use it all in one application. More than one |
| brickwork: | | | | do-it-yourslf bricklayer has ended up with a |
| Mortar hawk - for holding mortar | | | | wheelbarrow filled with 200 lbs of dried mortar |
| Wide pointing tool - for placing mortar on brick | | | | for this reason. It's best to mix mortar as needed. |
| Jointer - for finishing joints | | | | You can't foresee delays such as bad weather, |
| Brick tongs - for carrying multiple bricks | | | | running out of daylight or worse yet injuring |
| Narrow tuck pointer - for placing mortar on bricks | | | | yourself. |
| Mason's trowel - for applying mortar | | | | Watching a professional bricklayer at work is an |
| Masonry chisels - for splitting brick | | | | impressive sight. I remember as a small child living |
| Mason's hammers - for chipping brick | | | | with my grandparents and watching their new |
| Maul - for driving stakes | | | | home being built. The mortar practically flew off |
| Joint chisel - for removing dry mortar | | | | the workers trowels and the walls seemed to rise |
| Shop broom - for keeping the work area clean | | | | out of the ground in minutes. "Mortar throwing" is |
| Bucket and scrub brush | | | | an acquired skill that takes years to master, but |
| Stiff bristle brush - for removing loose material | | | | you can use the basic techniques successfully with |
| Rubber mallet | | | | just a little practice. |
| Pipe clamp - for scoring large quantities of brick | | | | Throwing mortar is a quick, smooth technique. |
| Circular saw (with a masinry blade) - for cutting | | | | Load the trowel with mortar (how much depends |
| brick | | | | on you comfort level), then position the trowel a |
| Hammer drill with masonry bit | | | | few inches above the starting point. In one |
| Wheelbarrow - for mixing mortar | | | | motion, begin turning your wrist over and quickly |
| Shovel | | | | move the trowel across the surface to spread |
| Cement - for mixing mortar | | | | mortar consistently. Ideally you want ot end up |
| Particle mask, gloves and protective eyewear | | | | with a line of mortar about 2 1/2 " wide and |
| A helpful hint is to build your project, if possible | | | | about 2 ' long. |
| without using mortar. This allows you to see the | | | | These are the very basics. There are numerous |
| finished project, make corrections along the way | | | | books and how-to videos on countless masonry |
| and decide if the end result is really what you | | | | projects. Just remember to plan accordingly, take |
| wanted. | | | | your time and above all ... be safe. |
| The last thing I'll cover is choosing, mixing and | | | | |