| DIY enthusiasts will usually 'have a go' at most things. | | | | brickwork should be turned back which will avoid any |
| However, more and more, the DIY enthusiast is | | | | unsightly splashing of the brickwork. Keep the boards |
| being regulated in the same way as the professional | | | | clean, not only for safety's sake, but this will also to |
| tradesmen. This isn't to say that they have not been | | | | prevent mortar staining from any rain splashes. |
| previously bound by regulations applying to | | | | You will also need to take care to prevent mortar |
| construction trades, but that a more consistent | | | | smearing the surface of newly laid bricks. Cleaning at |
| application of the rules is being applied. | | | | a later stage is rarely satisfactory, often difficult and |
| One area which seems to be avoiding the strictest of | | | | can lead to expensive and time consuming remedial |
| regulation is the art of bricklaying, which is not always | | | | treatments. |
| given the esteem it perhaps deserves. | | | | Also cleaning will almost certainly have a detrimental |
| Whilst a building or structure will remain standing | | | | effect on the face of the bricks as many cleaning |
| under most circumstances, irrespective of the quality | | | | agents will be abrasive. |
| of workmanship, the aesthetic qualities of good | | | | Remember - Prevention is better than the cure. |
| brickwork will never be able to be appreciated unless | | | | One of the biggest failings of the average Do it |
| the workmanship is of the highest quality. | | | | Yourself bricklayer is getting the mortar mix too wet |
| Quality of workmanship of will always be a | | | | or, conversely, too dry. Either way this will have a |
| determining factor as to whether or not the finished | | | | detrimental effect upon the structural properties of |
| project will gain the esteem it should deserve. | | | | the brickwork, weakening the wall. Also if the mix is |
| The choice of brick or masonry block will have a | | | | too sloppy, it is certain that when using the trowel to |
| large bearing on the aesthetics of projects ranging | | | | clean the excess mortar, it will be dragged across the |
| from a common garden wall to large housing complex | | | | face of the bricks, leaving an almost impossible to |
| or mall but all will depend on the quality of the | | | | clean, unsightly smear of mortar. |
| workmanship. In the right hands, poor or low quality | | | | This is a similar problem when undertaking the |
| bricks can be made to look much better than they | | | | pointing the mortar joints. Again, if the mix is too |
| really are. In the wrong hands, the quality of the brick | | | | sloppy you will have similar problems. If the mix is too |
| will not make any difference at all - you won't be | | | | dry, the pointing is likely too fall out in a fairly short |
| able to hide poor workmanship. | | | | period of time. It is important that all mortar joints |
| If you do feel up to having a go, there are some | | | | are fully filled to help prevent weeping. Any gaps will |
| basics that you will need to be aware of. Future | | | | allow moisture to be retained in the joints and the |
| articles will cover some of the more practical aspects | | | | bricks and mortar becoming subject to frost damage. |
| of Do it Yourself bricklaying. | | | | When building a cavity wall, it is essential that the |
| Do it Yourself bricklaying is not for the faint hearted. | | | | cavities are kept absolutely clean. Mortar 'snots' on |
| Be prepared for some hard graft - hard work. | | | | the wall ties will act as a bridge for moisture and cold |
| Here are some basics for the determined! | | | | between the inner and outer skin of the wall. Be |
| Firstly, you will need to work out how many bricks or | | | | scrupulous when installing cavity insulation bats at this |
| blocks are needed. Once you have done this and | | | | stage as dirty cavities increase the risk of damp and |
| your bricks are due to be delivered, you will need to | | | | cold bridging. |
| plan your site so that, wherever possible, the brick | | | | Do not lay bricks when the temperature is at or |
| storage areas are sited as close to the point of work | | | | below 4°C or when freezing may occur before |
| as possible. This will reduce any unnecessary handling | | | | the mortar has hardened. Be careful when using |
| which will minimise your effort and possible damage | | | | 'admixes' - always carefully follow the instructions on |
| to the bricks reducing waste. The bricks will need to | | | | the container. |
| be stored on sound, level ground and raised clear of | | | | Remember - temperatures should be rising - not |
| wet, muddy areas in order to prevent contamination | | | | falling. Do not lay bricks if the temperature of the |
| and staining. | | | | mortar may fall to freezing point before it sets or if |
| The stored bricks must be protected from the | | | | the bricks are frozen, or the sand contains ice |
| weather. So must any brickwork under construction, | | | | particles. |
| which should include the covering of any completed | | | | If a frost is likely to occur before the mortar in |
| uncapped work. Always protect newly built brickwork | | | | newly built brickwork has set, protect it with Hessian |
| from rain. Remember - maintain an airspace between | | | | and protect the Hessian from rain with plastic |
| the brick face and any waterproof covering. | | | | sheeting. (Don't forget to maintain the airspace). |
| Wet bricks will effervesce and these precautions will | | | | If however, the mortar becomes damaged by frost |
| help to reduce any likelihood of efflorescence and | | | | take the brickwork down and rebuild. |
| subsequent lime blooming. (this is the 'white staining' | | | | If in you are in any doubt take the brickwork down |
| often seen on newer buildings). | | | | and start again. |
| When using scaffolding, the boards adjacent to the | | | | |