What you need to lay bricks with your own hands
The process requires the main material, which can be purchased in different formats, as well as water, sand, and cement. The latter components can be replaced with prepared masonry mortar. The basic tools should include:
- trowel;
- cord;
- plumb line;
- pick;
- building level;
- row;
- tape measure.
You may also need a shovel or concrete mixer.
The masonry is carried out at temperatures up to +5 degrees. To begin with, it is recommended to install beacon stones in the corners and doorways. With their help, cords are pulled to align the walls. The first row is laid along the cord line.
The next stage is the formation of corners at a height of 305 rows. Further laying is carried out from them. The horizontal line is determined using a level, the vertical line - a plumb line. Having laid 5-6 rows, you can use the row. The product is fixed to the masonry using staples, and a mark of the laying strips is marked on its outer part. To correctly set the vertical row alignment, it is necessary to use a plumb line.
How to Lay Bricks: Basic Masonry Techniques for the Mason
This process begins after the corners are driven out. The mortar is applied to the base - the layer thickness should be 5-7 mm. The mortar is also applied to the end part adjacent to the corner, and the brick is pressed firmly. It is important to pay attention to the position of the upper edge on the outside, which should lie parallel to the stretched cord.
Mortar can be used to evenly position the brick. If the stone is above the line, tap it with the edge of the trowel, and remove the excess mixture. It is important not to rush - the hardening time of the cement mixture allows you to notice shortcomings in time and correct them. If necessary, you can remove a whole row of stones, remove the mortar and do the work again. It is important not to forget about the guide cords, and not rely on level control "approximately".
What is masonry bonding?
It affects the quality of the wall structure. The essence of the technology is the mismatch of the vertical seam of the initial row with the seams of the last one. This can be achieved by starting each new row with 1/3 or 2/3 of the stone, getting an offset.
As for the connection of parallel rows, in such a situation, every 2-3 bricks one is located perpendicularly. The end line should not go beyond the cord. In addition, every 5 rows should use a reinforcing mesh. It is laid on top, covering with a building mixture.
How to lay bricks correctly: secrets and features
For work, it is advisable to stock up on a bucket of water, into which the stone is dipped before laying. Such preliminary wetting increases the adhesive properties of the material. In addition, professional craftsmen advise:
- the water used for mixing the solution should not contain a lot of salts - otherwise, after drying, the bricks will be covered with untidy stains;
- when laying facing bricks, a gap is left between them and the load-bearing wall - it will provide ventilation and prevent the walls from getting wet;
- when calculating the amount of building material, bricks should be taken 10% more than the base figure, since this is the part of the stone that breaks during work;
- for the plasticity of the solution, slaked lime or special plasticizers can be added to it.
The knowledge and skills acquired make it possible to save on hiring workers or control the construction process.
