When the course is half laid, begin working from the other end, working carefully and keeping the bricks against the string line, continue until only one brick remains to be laid.Ĭut the brick to size using the brick bolster if required. Tap the brick down to line up level with the previous brick ensuring it has a firm bed in the mortar, similarly, it is firmly joined to the adjacent brick. Place these bricks gently in line with the previous bricks, up against the string line. Place the corner/end brick in place squarely up against the string line. Tap this brick down with the trowel handle bedding it into the mortar.Īll subsequent blocks will require buttering, which means that you need to spread 10mm of mortar onto the side end of the brick. Remove the dry blocks from the footing and spread a layer of mortar about 10mm thick along the footing to the length of about 5 bricks. Do not add additional chemicals to the mix without first following the manufacturing guidelines. Mix only enough mortar that can be used in approximately 40 minutes. The mortar needs to end up in a soft-putty-like state able to stand on it’s own yet spreadable with a trowel. Never add large quantities of water as the mix will become too runny and difficult to work with. Add a little water at a time to the mix and continue to mix the mortar.
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Firstly combine all the dry materials, mixing them until the colour is uniform. Mortar should be mixed on a hard flat surface (concrete slab or a board) or in a cement mixer. When mixing mortars by hand, measure the quantities carefully using the same gauge vessel for all ingredients. We need to determine the effect that the environment will have on your wall. Take your time, as this process will determine the straightness of the wall.įirstly we need to determine what type of mortar you require. Having done this set a tall stake at each end of the wall and then run a string line between the two stakes to give you the exact line of the wall face. This will determine the number of bricks per course. See “Mixing Mortar” for details of our products.Īssuming that the brickwork is being built on a levelled concrete footing, lay out a course of bricks, without mortar, along the foundation. The bricks should be laid around 10mm apart to allow space for your mortar. If the mortar is too strong and settlement occurs, the bricks will crack and it is much easier to repair mortar than to replace bricks.Ĭockburn Cement has developed several different cement and mortar products to make your brick laying experience easier and more consistent. The strength of the mortar is important, whilst it needs to be strong, it needs also not to be too strong. The mortar should be strong enough to withstand compressive and lateral forces and it must create a water resistant barrier. The principal function of mortar is to develop a complete and durable bond between masonry bricks, binding them into a single element.
![laying concrete blocks without mortar laying concrete blocks without mortar](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sUZiiWH3vYQ/maxresdefault.jpg)
See below for our step-by-step guide to laying bricks alternatively you can download our printable copy here: All that you need to do is add the sand and the water.įor estimating your requirements please refer to our easy estimator or try our calculator located in the side panel.Ĭheck out our Home Builders Guide where we have listed the best products available in WA and where to use them for the best result. Our Bricklaying products provide you with a perfect blend of Cockburn Cement and Hylime (builders hydrated lime) that conforms with an M3 Australian Standard classification.