Brick Laying

Brick laying in Cold Weather

a) Lay no bricks if the temperature of the mortar may fall to freezing point before it sets or if the bricks are frozen or the sand contains ice particles. Bricklaying should stop when a falling temperature reaches 3oC and not begin again until it reaches 4oC and is still rising and then only if the temperature of the bricks is above freezing.

b) If frost is likely to occur before the mortar in newly built brickwork has set, protect it with Hessian and protect the Hessian from rain with plastic sheeting. Alternatively use special waterproof insulating covers. In either case maintain an air space between the protective covering and the brickwork to avoid staining.

c) If the mortar becomes damaged by frost take the brickwork down and rebuild. If the damage appears to be superficial seek advice.

d) If in doubt take the brickwork down and start again.

Brick laying in Hot Weather

a) During hot drying weather reduce the suction rate of higher absorption bricks either by docking or lightly spraying so that when laid the surface is damp rather than wet. Such bricks may absorb too much water from the mortar before it has set, thereby reducing its adhesion and the rain resistance and strength of the brickwork. Over wetting of calcium silicate bricks should be avoided to minimise the risk of brickwork shrinking as it dries.

b) Do not wet low absorption bricks, such as engineering bricks. Their low suction rate when wet causes them to ‘swim’ or ‘float’ on the mortar and after a few courses have been built the wall may become unstable as the still fluid mortar extrudes from the lower courses.

c) When laying calcium silicate bricks during hot drying weather preferably adjust the consistence of the mortar. Alternatively wet only the surfaces to be bedded just sufficiently to reduce the suction. Over wetting of concrete bricks should be avoided to minimise the risk of brickwork shrinking as it dries.

Ask a question in our construction web forum