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