Mastering Brick Masonry: Everything You Need to Know

Nevertheless people have always divided any building structure with the help of walls. Each wall in a building has a particular form of brick masonry and that is very important when it comes to the construction of the building. But before we get further, do you know about what is called brick masonry?

Brick masonry can be regarded as one of the oldest methods of construction, which has been under development to confront the emergent needs. Taking a look at the old schools and new schools, new homes and commercial buildings going up, brick masonry remains an important facet in construction.

Continue to follow this Walls and Dreams blog to get more insights into types, significance and comprehensive guide to brick masonry.

What is Brick Masonry?

Brick masonry is the method of placing the bricks in an orderly manner laying in mortar. It is an enduring and high-performance form of construction. Mortars and bricks of different categories, suitable for different applications and with diverse features lay the foundation of a masonry structure designed to resist modem loads from the outside.

The voids within the walls are filled with mortar which provide the source of the wall’s strength. Correct positioning of bricks and preparation of mortar play important roles in brick masonry works if the structural quality is to be enhanced & achieved durably.

Types of Brick Masonry

Brick masonry comes in various forms, each with unique features and uses:

• Solid Brick Masonry
  In solid brick masonry, the bricks and mortar are laid in such a way that there is no space in between the two, and the bricks are rubbed on their joints. This type is used in load bearing walls as they boast of high strength and durability.
• Hollow Brick Masonry
  Hollow brick masonry involves the use of bricks with rows of cores that are empty, and must provide better insulating characteristics and considerably reduced weight than solid bricks. It is widely employed in the structures that support some of the building’s loads but not all of them.
• Facing Brick Masonry
  Facing brick masonry utilises bricks of high quality on the outer skin of walls for some form of elegance. They are both in colour and shape thus the patterns created with these bricks look good.
• Reinforced Brick Masonry
  The reinforced brick masonry incorporates steel rods or mesh to the mortar joints that improves the wall capacity. It can be used in building structures which are located or subjected to movement such as earthquakes or any stress.
• Composite Brick Masonry
  Composite brick masonry involves bricks and other materials such as stone or concrete blocks where strength and cost consideration affect various forms of construction.

Significance of Brick Masonry

Brick masonry construction holds high significance in building for multiple reasons:

• Energy Efficiency
  Continuous brick masonry walls insulate the interiors, preventing the flow of hot air from outside during hot seasons and equally preventing the flow of cold air from outside when it is cold.
• Better Longevity
  There is the use of brick masonry, which is an economical and durable construction material that is non-fading and does not call for frequent touch up.
• Fire Protection
  Brick masonry is free from fire hazards because bricks do not burn, emit toxic fumes and thus makes building safer.
• Noise Reduction
  Brick masonry also contains mass and thickness to decline external noise interference and sound transfer between interiors.

Some Basics for Brick Masonry

Knowledge of the types of bricks to be used, i.e., clay or concrete, and knowledge of bonds must be must to prepare the proper brick masonry for construction since they are crucial for the whole construction structure. Awareness of these basics makes it possible to make right decisions concerning choices of material and workmanship in masonry activities.

Types of Bricks Used in Brick Masonry

Below are common types of bricks used in brick masonry:

• Common Clay Bricks
  These are produced from wet clay by baking, and are very useful in construction of houses.
• Engineering Bricks
  These permanent bricks are made out of fine clay and baked hard to be able to resist the effects of chemicles and water.
• Fly Ash Bricks
  Fly ash bricks are environmentally friendly and are manufactured from by-products of coal.
• Concrete Bricks
  Concrete bricks can be formed from sand, cement, water and stone and are used for many types of construction.

Types of Bond in Brick Masonry

Here are the primary types of bonds used in masonry structure:

• Stretcher Bond
  This kind of course is accomplished by laying the bricks having the longer side on the showing part and only finishing half of the bricks above and below the row.
• Header Bond
  All the rows reveal the short end of the brick exposed outward so as to get a good and sound bond.
• English Bond
  Features long and short sides depending on the arrangement in a sequential manner, (headers and stretchers built for strength).
• Flemish Bond
  Provides headers and stretchers only for each row which makes it look like a checkerboard.

Tools and Materials for Brick Masonry

Effective brick masonry requires specific tools and materials, including:

1. Tools: Trowel, brick hammer, spirit level, brick chisel, jointing tool, masonry saw and mixing tools.
2. Materials: Mortar, reinforcement, bricks including clay, concrete, or-fly ash Bricks and waterproofing agents.

Brick Masonry Techniques

Key techniques in brick masonry include:

• Bricklaying– Encompasses work done in lanes of bricks such as stretcher, header, English, Flemish bonds and others.
• Mortar Mixing – The ideal cement-to-sand ratio is usually 1:SanJal fixes at number 3 owing to its candle like nature that is accompanied by water for ease of application. The lime may be used to enhance workability.
• Joints and Jointing – There is filling of voids between bricks and bricks with mortar and then giving them a right finish for aesthetic appearance and for protection from weather elements.
• Curing– Proper analysis of the methods of curing masonry after construction, that is by applying water on the face of the masonry this helps in hardening of the mortar and hence avoiding formation of cracks enhancing the strengths of the walls.

Construction Procedure for Brick Masonry

• To this end, the mortar is prepared following the ratios set hereunder that will result into a homogeneous mixture.
• Paint some mortar on the base with the help of a trowel.
• Spread mortar and lay bricks fixing each one onto the previous so that they are directly in contact with each other.
• Use a level for alignment.
• After each new row of bricks the mortar has to be applied for additional support whereby some rows are offset in a manner of uniform and proper support.
• Carry on spacing the rows, as the work progresses, ensure the structure remains straight, and the alignment is optimal.

How to Improve the Quality of Brick Masonry?

1. A house must have walls that are perpendicular to the group and there must be no visible gaps.
2. Every vertical joint should be filled with the mortar so that they cannot be of any more penetration of moisture.
3. Wet the bricks before placing them on the building as this reduces the amount of water penetration on bricks.
4. Mortar joint thickness should be less than 12mm.
5. A prime regulation is to restrict the construction height to a maximum of 1 meter per day.
6. After seven days, it is advisable to load the masonry structure.

Common Problems and Fixes in Brick Work

Common issues and their solutions include:

• Salt Stains – Waterproof and drain masonry to abide by its presence and use a weak acid agent to clean.
• Cracking – where expansion joints are called for due to movement to reduce the pressure on the masonry.
• Spalling – When using bricks to build the walls make sure you use bricks that are resistant to water and the walls have a good drainage system.
• Poor Bonding – wash bricks before use, wet them before use and mix mortar properly, do not apply excess mortar.

Conclusion

Brick masonry is widely used in construction to provide a foundation for numerous structures around the world. When you learn about its kinds, bonds, and how it is done, you take full advantage of it and come up with strong and aesthetic structures. Advancement of brick masonry remains constant and is paying homage to its past while at the same time integrating the advancements as it stands as part of the crucial aspect in construction.