Bricklaying is laborious work and it can be a physically dangerous profession. It can lead to sprains, tears and strains of muscles and ligaments.
Terry Daniel wipes sweat from his eyes as he builds a wall at breakneck speed. He’s competing in a regional Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 competition, where both speed and craftsmanship are judged.
Mortar
Mortar is a cement-like material that holds bricks, concrete block, and stone in place. It is essential to the success of any masonry project, and it can be mixed with lime or pozzolanic materials for different applications. Mortar is often sold in a dry pre-mixed form that you combine with water on site, or it can be mixed using a mortar mixer. It is important that the mortar mix is made to the right strength, as it needs to hold up under the loads of a wall or structure without failure.
Masonry mortar is usually a mixture of fine aggregate and binding material, such as lime or cement, but it can also contain admixtures such as fly ash and fly ash substitutes. The mortar must be thoroughly mixed to ensure that the proper ratio of water to cement is achieved, and a long mixing time helps to achieve workability and water retention in the mix.
Through his minute study of laying brick under standard conditions, Mr. Gilbreth reduced the number of movements necessary to lay a brick from eighteen to five or even less, and completely eliminated movements that had previously been considered indispensable. He also developed simple apparatus, such as adjustable scaffolds and packets for holding the bricks, that allow him to do more work in the same time.
Bricks
Bricks must be carefully selected to fit the job. Depending on the purpose, brick walls can be structural or decorative. Structural walls require solid, dependable bonds while decorative walls can use almost any bond pattern. Bricks are sized for easy handling and to provide stability when bonded (or laid). They must be small enough that a bricklayer can hold it with one hand, leaving the other free for use with the trowel. Bricks can be solid, perforated, cellular or hollow. They may have an indentation on one or both faces, commonly called a frog, that must be filled with mortar.
When a brick arrives at the brickyard, it is sorted by a laborer who places the best face up on a wooden frame. This saves the bricklayer from having to turn each brick over and end for end to choose the best one.
After sorting, the brick is fed into an extruder, where air is removed, and the brick is pressed to shape it. The brick is then cooled, and it must be dried in a special way to prevent cracking and to increase its strength. Once dried, the bricks can be fired in a kiln to further harden and stabilize them. They are then stacked for transportation to the construction site.
Tools
A bricklayer must use a variety of tools to complete their daily tasks, including mixing mortar and laying bricks. They also need to have access to power construction tools like mixers and drills to prepare the mortar, concrete, and other materials they will use for their projects.
While some of these tools may seem simple and humble, they are vital to the success of any project involving masonry work. Some of the most important hand tools for bricklayers include bolsters, trowels, and pointing trowels. These specialized tools allow brickies to work more efficiently and make their walls more stable.
Another tool that is often overlooked is a chisel. This hammer-like instrument is used to split bricks into different sizes, and is especially useful for working with larger pieces of material. Bricklayers can also find a pointing trowel, which is similar to a regular trowel but has a smaller blade for reaching into corners and other difficult areas.
Finally, a tape measure is a must-have for bricklayers. This is an indispensable tool for taking precise measurements, and it should be made of a sturdy, durable steel. Bricklayers should also look for a tape that has a magnetic tip and lock function to ensure it stays secure on metallic surfaces.
Experience
A bricklayer is a skilled craftsman who has experience with different tools and techniques. To qualify as a bricklayer, a person must complete a three to four-year apprenticeship program that includes on-the-job training, technical training and exams. This is followed by a journeyperson certificate that allows them to work across Canada.
A candidate should include a number of qualifications on the resume, including specialized training and years of experience in the field. They should also include a detailed list of the specific skills that they have developed in their career as a bricklayer. These include arch creation, which is a specialized skill that requires precision and craftsmanship. They should also highlight their ability to handle the trowel, a tool that is essential to bricklaying.
In addition, a bricklayer should also have a strong work ethic and be able to demonstrate that they are reliable. They should also be able to follow a blueprint and pay attention to detail. Finally, a bricklayer should be able to work well with other team members. They may also need to operate heavy machinery, such as a forklift or loader. In some cases, they may need to work on or near railway lines, so they should have a Personal Track Safety (PTS) Card.