In this article, we’ll cover the basics of brick wall construction, including how to use reclaimed bricks and corbels. We’ll also talk about testing bricks for soluble salts. If you’re new to brick construction, you may be interested in these tips for constructing a wall in your own garden. Once you have the basics of brick wall construction down, you can begin building your own garden barrier in no time.
Reclaimed bricks
Reclaimed bricks for a garden wall can give an outdoor room, perfect for growing veggies and herbs. They can also act as a hideaway for compost. A short, two-layer wall can serve as the border for a flower garden. The wall can be laid using a concrete footer and mortar. A string can be used to ensure levelness. Then, use a leveler to check each brick’s alignment.
Reclaimed bricks are available from demolished buildings. However, you must be careful in selecting a material for your garden wall. Old bricks have been prone to efflorescence after a year of service. Bricks from demolished buildings are most suitable for reusing if laid in lime mortar. Portland cement mortar is too strong and difficult to remove. Reclaimed bricks were generally made over 50 years ago.
There are several benefits to using reclaimed bricks for your garden wall. Reclaimed bricks can be antique, new, or refurbished, and they will look unique. They are available in a variety of colors and shapes, and some bricks may require cleaning and repair before they can be used. Moreover, reclaimed bricks are much cheaper than buying new bricks. You can use them to repair damaged garden walls, refurbish sheds, garages, or create a garden feature.
Reclaimed bricks are also excellent for paving or edging a garden. They can serve as the bases of greenhouses, summer houses, guest houses, and even a pool house. Bricks were also used in the past to build root cellars, ice houses, and cold stores. You can even build an earth-sheltered bunker using these reclaimed bricks. Your garden will be beautiful and eco-friendly.
Corbels
To install corbels, you can use screws. First, place the corbel face-down on a soft surface. Brush the wood glue on both surfaces, pressing firmly. Once the glue dries, it will form a strong bond with the supporting surface. To make sure that the corbel stays in place, fasten it tightly to the wall with a screw or bolt. If you do not have wood corbels, you can skip this step.
You can also use single corbels as a way to showcase treasured items. For example, you can place framed photos or artwork on these decorative objects. You can also place everyday objects on corbels to add personality to a room. It also looks great if you want to highlight a flower or a bird. The decorative corbels will provide an excellent backdrop for your favorite framed photo or artwork.
When installing corbels, be sure to check their height and depth. Ideally, they should be half or two-thirds of the depth of the overhang. For example, a six-inch-deep countertop requires six-inch corbels. For a larger countertop, you can use eight or nine-inch corbels. Alternatively, you can use six-inch corbels for a 12-inch overhang. Then, for more dramatic looks, you can go for a 9-inch corbel.
Staggered bricks
If you’d like to create a stylish, decorative border around your garden, try building a wall with staggered bricks. The bricks will look better if they’re laid in a diagonal pattern. First, you’ll need to lay out your brick wall. You’ll need a large, flat surface for the wall’s base and a sturdy tool to set the bricks into place.
After you’ve stacked the bricks into the wall, you’ll need to add mortar to the ends of the blocks. Make sure that the mortar is between five and 10 millimetres thick. Ensure the bricks are level across the wall by using a spirit level to check their verticality. After you’ve finished placing the bricks, you’re ready to start constructing the wall.
Once you’ve completed the construction, the final step is to paint the bricks. It’s fun to use a variety of colors and paint the bricks to suit your garden. Or, you can make a walkway from your driveway to your house, using complementary colors. And if you’d like to add a personal touch, consider adding motivational quotes or sayings.
A brick wall can add beauty to an otherwise boring yard, and it can also add a good deal of value to your property. And while it may sound intimidating, building a brick garden wall is actually not difficult if you follow some basic instructions. It will take less than a week to build the wall and you’ll be surprised by how easy it can be. Don’t forget to lay a footer for the wall, if you plan to build it on a dirt area.
Test for soluble salts in bricks
One of the most important steps in the preservation of a construction site is to test for soluble salts in bricks. Bricks containing soluble salts are considered unstable and should be stored off-ground to avoid contact with salt-bearing soil. Thankfully, a simple test for soluble salts in bricks can detect this problem. The process involves immersing a brick in water and observing its surface for seven days. Efflorescence is the result of soluble salts that form on brick surfaces.
In a study of 18 solid samples, the content of soluble salts was found to be double that of the outer wall. The inner wall contains more chloride than sulphate. This could lead to unsaleable brick or spalling. For this reason, it is important to check the contents of raw materials before applying any process to bricks. Here are a few steps to make the test for soluble salts in bricks easier.
First, determine the source of the salts in the building. If you’re dealing with an old building, salts may have been deposited by long-gone activities. Coal-burning space heaters produce sulphur-bearing gases that attack some types of stone. Another possible source of salts in bricks is percolation from the ground. Soluble salts cause the bricks to lose their cohesiveness and deteriorate, leading to the failure of mortars and blowing brickwork.
Preparing the area before building a brick wall
When preparing the area before building a brick wall, you should mark the site and dig a trench. Use the largest stones at the bottom and smaller ones to fill in the gaps. Start with an A-shape pattern and continue working upwards. Regular through stones are best for larger walls. They span the width of the wall and help the bricks line up properly. If you’re not sure what to use as coping stones, try mixing some regular stones with irregular shaped ones.
Start by preparing the area. Mark out the footer and the course of the wall. Dig a trench to lay the foundation. You can also use an 811 service to check for underground utilities. You’ll need a footer that is the same height as your wall and extends at least three feet below the ground’s frost line. Use a spirit level to ensure the wall is level.
After leveling the ground, prepare the area by laying a foundation layer of landscape fabric over the drainage gravel. Once this is complete, lay the first course of bricks. Place two additional stakes at the opposite ends. Make sure they are equal in width. Make sure the bricks are level, and that the second course is evenly spaced. The third course should be squared and level to the previous course. Leave a gap in the middle.
Cost of building a brick wall
If you are considering DIY brick wall construction, there are some things to consider. The material to be used, the height and location of the wall, and the size of the site all affect the cost. Make sure to remove any obstacles and plan the entire project so that it goes smoothly. The cost of building a brick wall in a garden will be significantly less than you might expect. In addition, you’ll save money by using recycled materials and handmade bricks.
Labour costs vary greatly depending on the size and number of workers. A single-skin garden wall will cost PS210 to PS300 in labour for two people, while a 1m high x eight-metre-long wall will cost between PS275 and PS400 for two men to do the work. You should also account for the cost of the materials and the removal of waste. The cost of bricks and cement for a garden wall can run from PS350 to PS550.
The cheapest material for a garden wall is brick, but the price can double if you opt for a thicker and stronger material. For instance, a landscaper can charge PS750 for coping, PS1000 for flint, and PS1200 for slate. Adding all of these costs up, the cost of building a brick wall in a garden is around PS160 for a single-skinned wall. To build a brick wall, you’ll need a mixture of cement, sand, bricks, and plasticiser.
