Masonry: Bricklaying and Blockwork — CSEC Building Technology

Bricklaying is the skill of building walls from bricks or blocks bonded with mortar.

Key terms

Course — a single horizontal layer of bricks or blocks.
Bond — the overlapping pattern of units that ties the wall together and spreads loads.
Stretcher — a brick laid showing its long face along the wall.
Header — a brick laid showing its short end.

Bonds

Common bonds include:

Stretcher bond — all stretchers; used for half-brick (single-leaf) walls.
English and Flemish bonds — alternate headers and stretchers for thicker, stronger walls.

The vertical joints are staggered (not aligned) so that loads are spread and the wall is stronger.

Tools

Trowel — spreads, shapes and trims mortar.
Spirit level / plumb line — checks that the wall is level and vertical (plumb).
Line and pins — keep each course straight and level.

Good practice

Mortar joints should be even in thickness and fully filled for strength and weather resistance. Each course is checked for level and plumb before the next is laid.

Method (one course)

Set out and check the line.
Spread the mortar bed.
Lay and tap each brick to the line.
Check level and point the joints.

Exam tips

A course is one horizontal layer; the bond is the overlapping pattern.
Stagger the vertical joints for strength.
Tools: trowel, spirit level, line and pins.
Joints should be even and fully filled.