Whether your next masonry project is for your professional business or for your own home, you may need a variety of supplies to perform the job properly. There are many tools and materials that are common to the trade, and as you develop your masonry skills, you may find that some are more important to invest in than others. Here are 3 tips and tricks to help you make the most of your masonry supplies.
1) There are a few masonry tools and supplies that you should consider purchasing at some point.
Most masonry tools are inexpensive and easy to learn how to use. While you probably won't need all of these items for every masonry project you take on, the following supplies are useful to add to a basic tool kit:
- Trowel - spreads mortar over the stone
- Brick hammer - breaks stones and bricks
- Cold chisel - removes extra or unnecessary mortar from bricks
- Jointer - creates the spaces between breaks for mortar
- Mason's line - thick twine that guides the placement of a complete wall in a straight line
2) Before starting your project, think about what supplies you require in order to avoid waste.
To create walls and hold bricks or stones together, you will need mortar, concrete, and grout. However, if you gather some of these supplies too soon, you run the risk of them drying up and becoming ineffective. If the bags of mortar or grout are punctured or stored in a damp area, the material inside could harden. Hot weather can also affect the quality of the supplies. Working during the scorching heat of summer can cause mortar to dry quite rapidly. If you have an overabundance of material sitting in direct sunlight waiting to be used, the mortar can lose its workability and ultimately need to be thrown away. Buying masonry supplies only as you need them can help preserve their good condition.
3) Choose the right bricks.
Once you have the tools and mortar to complete your project, it's important to select bricks that will ensure your creation is constructed with a strong foundation. Look for bricks that are roughly the same size and shape. It is best to find bricks that are rectangular with fairly sharp edges. Check that the bricks aren't brittle or full of holes and cracks, and they should all be the same color. Confirm that a brick is hard and sound by scratching a fingernail over the surface. If there is no mark left behind, then the brick is sufficiently durable. You may also wish to conduct a water absorption test. If possible, weigh a handful of dry bricks, then immerse them in water overnight. Afterward, weigh them again - if the difference between the first and second measurements is greater than 20% of the average dry weight, you should choose different bricks for your work.
Masonry work is fun and satisfying, as long as you prepare the correct supplies and tools before you begin your project.
To learn more about masonry supplies, contact a company near you.
