Brickwork & Bricklaying

Brickwork and Bricklaying is written for those who are new to the craft of bricklaying, and those who are improving their skills. It provides an overview of the materials, processes, craft skills and related subjects to enable the reader to construct their own simple brickwork projects and undertake brickwork-related maintenance projects around the home. Further topics include: Materials - constituents and mix proportions of good quality concrete and mortars, and how to successfully mix both. There is an overview of different types of bricks and blocks. Foundations - how to place, compact and cure concrete for simple foundations and bases. Setting-Out - methods of setting out the positions of simple wall lines, corners and buildings. Bricklaying - overview of tools required; step-by-step methods and instruction on all the basic craft skills of bricklaying from first principles; different methods of bonding and finishing mortar joints. Boundary Walls - design principles for boundary and garden walls, including the application and construction of piers. Decorative Brickwork - simple methods of decoratively enhancing brickwork projects. Finally, Maintenance - identification of the common defects associated with brickwork and masonry and methods for rectifying those defects. AUTHOR: Jon Collinson began working as a bricklayer in 1984. He has continued his varied career in the construction industry, including bricklaying, health and safety, estates management and many years of teaching brickwork as a vocational craft subject. He currently runs his own building and consruction firm, Acoustibuild FM Ltd.