We were laying a garden wall in 95 degree heat, and the foreman made us stop wetting them, saying it was an old habit that causes problems later. I've seen both ways work, but that argument stuck with me. Which method do you all actually use on site?
I was picking up a pallet of common reds last Tuesday and the yard guy swore by it, said it stops the mortar from drying too fast. My boss on the other hand says it just makes them heavy and messy, and a good mix is all you need. We're starting a big garden wall job next week and I'm not sure which way to go. What's the real deal on soaking bricks before you lay them?
He insisted on a standard cement mix for a new build in Charlotte, but I pushed for a lime-based blend for better moisture control. We spent half a Friday mixing two test panels to prove the point. Anyone else had to fight for a material choice that went against the grain?
I was about halfway up this old brick chimney when I noticed the joints were sagging badly, and it turned out my helper had added almost two extra gallons of water to the batch. I had to stop, chip out all the fresh mortar with a brick chisel, and start over from the last solid course. What's your go-to method for checking mortar consistency before you start laying, especially in dry climates?
I was on a chimney repair job in Chattanooga about six weeks ago. The homeowner wanted it done fast, so I grabbed a bag of that 'Rapid-Set Pro' stuff. It said 30 minute working time, which should have been fine. I mixed a small batch to reset about twenty bricks. The stuff went from wet to rock hard in maybe 15 minutes. I barely got the last three bricks in place before my trowel was scraping on what felt like concrete. One of the bricks wasn't seated right and I couldn't adjust it at all. I had to chip it all out and start over, wasting a full bag and half a morning. The label is a flat out lie. Has anyone found a reliable fast-set mix that actually gives you the time it says?
The motor just seized up halfway through the second batch. Had to send my apprentice to grab a rental from the place on 5th Street, which cost me $85 for the day. Anyone have a good mixer brand they swear by for heavy use?
For years, I stuck to my regular trowel and only used the margin for tidying up edges. Seeing another layer zip through a bed joint with a margin trowel made me try it, and the control is way better. How many of you use margin trowels as your main spreading tool?
I laid a simple herringbone pattern with some leftover pavers last fall, just for fun (you know, like this). We've had a wet spring, but the drainage seems fine and nothing has shifted yet. Any tips for long-term maintenance on decorative walkways? I'm worried about weeds popping through the joints eventually.
I know it's standard practice, but after building a curved walkway without one, I think we over rely on them for simple jobs.
Ngl, everyone says thick is best, but I had a wall collapse from it. Tbh, a looser mix actually bonds better in my experience.
It was a small job, but seeing it all lined up straight is so satisfying. The homeowner was really happy with how it turned out.
Back when I started, masons would just force odd angles with extra mortar, which always cracked later. I hit a wall on a garden project with a sharp corner that wouldn't hold no matter how I laid the bricks. After struggling, I found my granddad's handwritten tip about cutting a brick on a steep bevel for a tighter fit. It solved the issue and made me realize we've lost some of that hands-on wisdom for quick fixes.
Was putting in a brick planter and the mortar kept going off like concrete. Figured out that dampening the bricks first saves a lot of headache. Actually managed to get it all done without any major screw-ups. Who knew a little water could be such a game-changer?
I built this grill over the past few weekends with some friends. We followed a basic plan but added our own tweaks. What are some common issues to avoid with outdoor brick grills?
I was working on a south facing wall and the dark bricks were too hot to handle. I think it makes the mortar dry faster. Do you have tips for working with dark bricks in the sun?
Everyone seems to think laser levels are the best thing for bricklaying. I get that they're quick to set up. But I've had too many issues with them on sunny days or when power runs out. For example, on a recent project, the laser failed and we lost a whole morning fixing mistakes. With string lines, you always have a physical guide that doesn't depend on batteries. It might take extra minutes to set, but it's reliable. I believe we should focus more on skill than just speed.