Bricklaying FAQ's

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Bricklaying is the term used to describe the skilled craft of laying bricks to construction walls, buildings and other structures. It involves laying bricks in specific designs to create beautiful architecture. Bricks are laid on a bed of mortar which bonds with the bricks creating durable, long-lasting buildings.  Bricklaying is a highly skilled trade that has been around for thousands of years, it takes great craftsmanship and dedication to build high quality brickwork that can last the test of time. Bricklaying is an essential trade within the construction industry, it provides structures that provide unbeaten strength, durability, longevity and structural integrity. Bricklaying is one of the key construction trades that enables homes, buildings and all other structures to withstand against the harshest conditions. 

Blocklaying involves laying concrete or masonry blocks to construct walls, partitions, or other structural elements in buildings. 

Mortar is a mixture of cement, lime, sand and water which is mixed together, mortar is used to bond bricks or other masonry materials together. 

Brick cleaning refers to the process of removing dirt, stains, mortar or efflorescence from the surface of bricks using various methods such as pressure washing and using chemical cleaning products. 

Salt attack typically occurs when soluble salts, like chlorides and sulphates, penetrate the surface of bricks and mortar joints. This usually happens due to factors such as living in coastal areas or by a pool, insufficient drainage etc. It can lead to visible damage such as efflorescence which forms a white powder substance on bricks. 

Efflorescence is a white, powdery deposit that forms on the surface of bricks and masonry. It occurs when soluble salts from within the building materials, in the surrounding areas or from the soil within the surrounding area are dissolved by water and then brought to the surface. As the water evaporates, the salts crystalize and leave behind a white powder substance. 

Bricklaying can be completed in the rain especially in work areas that have been covered adequately or in indoor areas. When bricklaying is completed in the rain this causes a few issues which is why each situation should be assessed to determine if the brickwork can be completed. 

If wet weather is forecasted and appropriate coverage can be installed to allow the materials, bricks and work area to not be directly in the elements this would always be advisable. 

Here are some of the issues and concerns when working in the rain: 

• What happens when you lay wet bricks: When you place wet bricks on damp or saturated mortar beds can result in significant problems. The excess moisture from the bricks can saturate the mortar which in turn prevents it from bonding effectively with the bricks and overall compromising the structural integrity of the wall. In severe cases, the weight of the wet bricks may cause the mortar to squeeze out from between the joints, resulting in the wall collapsing. 
• When bricks absorb water they expand, as they dry they contract. This cycle of expansion and contraction can lead to cracks in the mortar joints and ultimately weaken the structure over time. 
• Other concerns and issues that can occur are: Contaminated mortar rainwater can contaminate the mortar being made bringing debris and other aspects into the mix. Delayed drying - wet weather prolongs the drying process of both the bricks and mortar. The mortar consistency can be comprised and the expansion and contract action of bricks.  

Bricklaying has been around for thousands of years, bricklaying and masonry are one of the oldest trades in the world. The exact date is speculated online however there are many different ancient structures that still exist today built by bricklayers thousands of years ago such as the Pyramids different strutures in Mesopotamia. 

A weephole refers to a small opening or hole which is specifically left within brickwork to allow for proper drainage of water. They are typically located near the bottom of walls or in cavities where water might collect. Weep holes serve a critical function in the prevention of rising damp and moisture buildup and within the structure. 

Brick matching refers to when a bricklayer is trying to find the closest possible match to an existing brick being used within a dwelling. Brick matching can be done at any point however is more often used when completing brick repairs or when extending or renovating your current brick home. When either repairing or renovating your brick home, the bricks you will need to use should be the closest possible match to those that are currently being used within the dwelling. Overtime different bricks will stop being manufactured, so the exact brick that was once used to build the dwelling may not be an option to purchase any longer. Instead the bricklayer will select the closest possible match, this entails selecting the closest texture, design and colour of the existing brick being used. If the closest possible brick match isn't selected, the area that is being repaired or  built will look different to the existing brickwork. 

 Brick cleaning is the difference between finished and un-finished work, some customers will try to cut this cost however we cannot recommend enough the difference a brick clean make. Take a look at some of our photos of before and after brick cleans in our gallery. 

To corefill a wall means to install specific steel and concrete as specified by the engineer. These elements add extra stability to the wall and enable it to retain even greater strength or weight.