Bricklaying on your own

[Ian H]

Thought you laying them overhand over the top of the lintel when I saw the first photo Ian. I was thinking you must be really good to do that.

Yeah, that's how I did them

 

[^woody^]

You could knock a pair of those up from 18mm ply or similar, and they wouldn't wobble so much either.

Yeah if you want 18mm joints.

 

[stuart45]

Yeah if you want 18mm joints.

I don't usually make them that small.

 

[Doggit]

I don't usually make them that small.

Ahh, good point. Okay, 9mm mdf then.

 

[cjard]

Won't take long for 9mm MDF to turn into 18mm LDF when it's in contact with moisture!

 

[John D v2.0]

You mean weetabix surely @cjard !!

 

[JohnD]

expert level

 

[^woody^]

No good. Some courses have a closer on the end. Take it down and start again.

 

[Ian H]

It was supposed to be straight too!!! Too much plasticiser

 

[Ian H]

I think my brick laying career is over now.

I pulled the old window out, bricked it up and put the new one in. It's looks ok from a long distance. A proper Bricky is doing the front in about 4 weeks.

 

[Ian H]

Well the bricky ran over on his last job so didn't come, then the roofer had a job cancelled so came early which meant I had to lay more bricks.

This weekend I need to replace a couple oflingels and do s couple of rows of brick and block.

It's snowing outside so I'm a bit paranoid about frost.

Should I add a frost proofer and what effect will it have on my mortar?

 

[cjard]

Mortar sets by a crystalline growth reaction in the cement, which is unfortunately slower than the crystalline growth of water crystals when water freezes; if the water in your mortar freezes it expands and weakens/breaks up the curing mortar, meaning it may never cure and harden properly. In these weather conditions if there's a risk of frost, add something to counter it, dosing instructions on the pack. Frostproofed mortar isn't quite a strong (all additives have a detrimental effect) but it's a lot stronger than mortar that froze while curing!

 

[Ian H]

Thanks, I'll go and get some

Do I still use the plasticiser with it?

 

[stuart45]

Make sure it's covered up at night.

 

[noseall]

Soldiers over a steel lintel..... As tough as it gets.

Gently prop the lintel.

Make sure all your perp' joints are full.

Your bricks will try and tip forwards so don't bother using a line. Rather, lay all the bricks a upright as you can, then once all the perp's are well and truly full, you should be able to tap the bricks back to upright, using a long straight edge.

Cuts facing up.