Brick masonry construction techniques

Good brick masonry depends on workmanship as much as on material. The main points to be followed are:

1. Quality of bricks: use well-burnt, uniform bricks of specified strength (not less than 3.5 N/mm$^2$ for load-bearing work). Soak the bricks in clean water for at least 2 to 3 hours before laying so that they do not absorb water from the mortar.
2. Mortar: proportion and mix as designed (e.g. 1:4 or 1:6 cement:sand); the sand should be clean and well graded. Use cement mortar within 30 minutes of mixing; do not re-temper stiff mortar.
3. Bond: use English or Flemish bond so that the vertical joints (perpends) of successive courses do not coincide; use closers at the end of each course; lay bricks with the frog up and with full header or stretcher faces.
4. Joints: bed and cross joints fully filled with mortar; joint thickness about 10 mm; joints struck, flush or raked for plastering, with a raking depth of about 12 mm.
5. Line, level and plumb: check with a plumb bob, spirit level and string line; keep each course horizontal. Raise the corners first.
6. Rate of rise: do not raise the work more than about 1.0 to 1.5 m in one day, so that the lower courses are not crushed or displaced. Where work stops, leave toothing (not a steep rake) for later joining.
7. Damp-proof course (DPC) at plinth level; lintels over openings with at least 200 mm bearing.
8. Curing: keep the wall wet for at least 7 days; protect it from rain, sun and frost.
9. Scaffolding and safety: use independent scaffolding; keep holes for scaffolds to a minimum and fill them properly.