Can I learn to lay and re-point bricks?

[sixdogs]

Not sure where to post this but the guys that know are on this section. Could I dual post?

Can I learn to lay bricks sufficently enough to do a quality job on a 12' by 14' small building? I am a quick study and do quality work but know little of brickwork other than living in a brick (veneer) house. Also, I watched it on TV and watched a relative lay bricks decades ago.
As well, my in-laws house needs some bricks re-pointed and he is too old to do it himself so I figure to learn that too. I took a sample of his morter and will have in analyzed so the morter colors match. Thay's all I know so far and need help and advice.

Bricklayers--how long will it take me to learn how to lay bricks and do an acceptable job? How about re-pointing?

 

[Runner]

I am not a bricklayer, but I am a son of, a son of a bricklayer. I have watched my father and a lot of other bricklayers lay a lot of brick and block and have often wondered if I could do a decent job of it myself. Never tried...

My first conclusion is that it is a LOT harder than it looks. You can read about it in books, but there is a reason they have apprentiship programs for trades like this.

I would ask the reason to use this method of building the structure? Assuming it is for the appearance, and particularly if it is to match some other building(s) on the property, I would leave it to a professional.

On the other hand, if it's just for the fun and challenge of it, I'd say read up on it and go for it. Nothing superhuman about it, it just a lot of work and skill to have it come out right and looking good.

As for the tuck-pointing, I think that would be a lot easier for an amateur. Again, I haven't done much of it, but I'd probably use a chisel and angle grinder to remove the old mortar.

Even for the tuck-pointing, if I wanted it to look nice, I'd hire a professional.

 

[Reverend Blair]

You can learn, but my experience is that it's one of those "feel" things, and most of us don't do it enough to really get the feel.

My advice would be to do a few smaller projects first, things that you can learn by your mistakes on without having to stare at it every day. Make sure you have a solid, level base; get your level lines right and make sure you follow them, and make sure your mortar mix and mortar placement are good.

 

[/pine]

The key to doing brick or block work as an amateur is learning to lay to a string...

The tricky part is getting the leads set plumb and level on both ends of a wall...once this is done line blocks and a string can be stretched from one end to the other and moved up and down for each course...

If the leads are plum, square, level and true and you lay the units (brick/block) to a tight string your wall will be fine...there is no need to try and use a level on every unit...just keep the faces flush and the corners to the string...

Getting the technique down for applying mortar to the wall and buttering the next brick/block to tbe layed only takes time...it is not difficult just takes some practice.

Don't get ahead of yourself...always drop back and strike your joints and clean the faces or float the wall if using blocks...

 

[Travelover]

I had my chimney upper section rebuilt last year and was inspired, so I decided to redo about a dozen bricks on my garage's brick veneer. All I can say is that my first attempt was so pitiful that I tore it down before the mortar set up. My second attempt was better when I used some sticks with markings on them to keep the rows more even. Even today it catches my eye when I see it. YMMV :laughing:

 

[Egon]

Others have lain brick so why should you not be able to. It will take some practice to become adept though.:thumbsup:

 

[captaincrab55]

Others have lain brick so why should you not be able to. It will take some practice to become adept though.:thumbsup:

Egon, I like the way you think... Sixdogs, One will never know unless they try, go for it....

 

[arsenix2001]

I was a site preparation/ stone masonry contractor for 8 years. Short answer is can you do it, probably, would i reccomend you do it, probably not. We did flag, stone veneer and brick, and what i always hated getting my guys to do was brick... If you dont have exp it can be very very frustrating to butter the bricks properly to maintain strait coursing. If you take your time it can be accomplished. As mentioned above a string setup is crucial as is always taking back a step to eye out your work every once and a while. If you have no time constraint then give it a try on a couple courses, if its not working out find a brick sub that will just lay, and use your provided materials.

 

[Egon]

If you dont have exp it can be very very frustrating to butter the bricks properly to maintain strait coursing

How does one get experience?? Or are some just born with the skill!

 

[arsenix2001]

It not like he wants to learn the trade for a living, he wants to veneer a small building which may be more frustrating and time consuming than its worth, which is why I reccomended if he has the free time, give it a shot... Can always call someone later.