Bricklaying Tips for New Contractors

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As the Australian construction industry continues to boom, bricklaying is quickly becoming a popular hands-on vocation. Unlike carpenters and sparkies, bricklayers remain a significant cog in the construction industry. If you are a novice bricklayer, an apprenticeship offers everything you need to know about the craft. However, bricklaying in the real world throws new contractors in the deep end. Thus, it is easy to make rookie mistakes and negatively affect your bricklaying career. This post explores bricklaying tips for new bricklayers.

Order Bricks in One Delivery -- Rarely are rookie bricklayers in charge of major construction projects. However, supervisors can put them in charge of small projects to see how well they cope. It is essential to take such an opportunity seriously and prove your prowess at bricklaying. When you find yourself in such a position, the first thing you should do is order as many bricks as possible in a single delivery. The reason is that brick sizes vary between production batches. If you order bricks in several batches, you might have to adjust measurements or return bricks to a supplier, which is a costly option. Ordering your bricks in one batch allows you to work with bricks of the same size and dimensions.

Stand Parallel to the Wall -- You will be surprised at the number of new bricklayers who stand facing a wall. To most bricklayers, the position comes naturally, but the impact on operations can be significant. First, facing a wall forces a bricklayer to turn 180 degrees to pick a new brick every time. It puts the lower back at risk of repetitive injuries, especially when constructing a long wall. Second, bricklaying while facing a wall slows you down because you waste precious seconds by turning back to get a new brick. The best position for a bricklayer is to stand parallel to a wall and get a clear brick placement view along a line. This way, you eliminate the need to turn 180 degrees to pick bricks, avoiding back injuries.

Cover Bricks from Rain -- Some new bricklayers think that rain has no significant effect on bricks. However, assuming that wet bricks simply dry without affecting appearance and structural integrity is a misconception you should avoid. If you leave brick in the rain, the bricks will leach, increasing efflorescence. It can give a wall an ugly finish, which hurts your work as a bricklayer. Always cover your bricks the moment it starts raining.

To learn more, contact a bricklayer.

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