BRICKWORK / BRICK MASONRY

Points to be checked before and after Brick Masonry

1. Before using the bricks in construction it should be checked for its physical properties (such as strength, dimension, water absorption, etc).

2. Bricks must conform to the architect specifications.

3. Prior to use bricks in construction, it should be soaked in water for sufficient time so that the water penetrates the whole depth of brick.

4. After completion of the soaking period, bricks should be removed from the water and allowed to become surface dry, before use in construction.

5. Always laid the bricks having its frog facing upward.

6. The mortar should completely cover the bed and sides of the bricks.

7. During laying bricks on a mortar bed, it should be slightly pressed into the mortar bed to ensure good bonding and uniform joint thickness.

8. During laying bricks should also be pressed sideways, to have a uniform thickness of vertical joints.

9. All the joints in brick masonry should be so filled with mortar that no cavity is left in between.

10. Brickwork construction should be started from its end or corners and it should be carried out perfectly in line.

11. The brickwork should be perfectly in level.

12. Check the vertical faces of brickwork by means of a plumb bob and check the inclined surfaces by means of wooden templates.

13. Brick bonds as suggested by the designer should be adopted.

14. As far as possible try to use fewer brickbats.

15. Mortar of required consistency should be used.

16. The amount of mortar per use should be so prepared that it can be used within 30 minutes. Any mortar older than 30 minutes should not be used.

17. In case of cross-wall is to be inserted later, steps or toothing or recesses should be provided during construction.

18. A plinth, window sill, floor level, roof level and at the top of the parapet wall, the brick course should be laid with bricks on edge.

19. Iron fixtures such as holdfasts for doors & windows etc should be embedded in cement mortar or cement concrete.

20. In case the wall face is to be plastered, all joints should be raked to a minimum depth of 10 to 15 mm. this raking is done when the mortar is in green condition.

21. If no plaster has to be done on the wall surface, then joints in the wall surface should not be raked at all.

22. At every 30 m to 45 m length of the wall, provide expansion joints of about 18 mm to 25 mm

23. After the construction of brick masonry, it should be cured properly for a period of 1 to 2 weeks.