r/Bricklaying

I had a very old concrete pool removed. Our yard was mostly brick patio. We kept much of the patio. I worked with a landscaper who has done a bang-up job in the yard, but I am not happy with the brick layer. He edged the patio with reclaimed bricks, but left a mess. He also made no attempt to tint the mortar. I know I have to live with the white mortar, but do I have to live with the mortar haze and spots.

They came once and tried to clean it, and it got a little better, but I don’t think this is acceptable.

Am I being a drama-queen?

The orange line is the original cutting line. I can get that off.

UPDATE: Thanks for your opinion, folks. I didn’t want to be unreasonable. You gave me a reality check.

I can't even imagine the patience and planning it took to lay this.

Some words of wisdom

Hello, i noticed a house with black spots all over the external brick cladding. It's literally everywhere on all bricks without exception. Was wondering if anyone has ever seen this. Is it mold?

Thanks

Looking at an exterior wall and it has weeps but each has produced a stain below
What could cause this effect ?

​

Got a load of yellow imperials from Selco and left a few in the rain when I was setting out. A couple of days go by and then this happens. I think it's called eflu-something but it feels like theres loads of salt in the bricks thats coming to the surface the moment they get wet?

Is this just something I have to live with and try cleaning off later, or can I soak the bricks in water first or something to avoid my wall looking shite the moment it starts raining!

Why would anyone manufacture a brick that does this in the first place...

I want to know the best option to keep the porch safe and make a long term repair before it gets worse. I was thinking of just replacing the facade but am concerned that this job will snowball in to 30K worth of premature repairs. Any advice of this kind of job would be appreciated.

Hi Guys,

Looking at getting some repointing done for my house (built approx. 1930’s) and would like some help with what I can expect for a quote please.

The house has one main wall that needs doing, the rest is mostly small areas or bricks which have spalled. The bay window leaked over winter as the mortar above it has crumbled & it has a completely failed brick.

My outside front wall is a mess but I am tempted to DIY depending on price 🤨.

Any help / advice would be appreciated!

Thanks

Ive managed to find some bricks on marketplace that match my garden wall so im planning to build a bbq in the spot shown (its where my current pizza oven sits)

Ive drawn and made what I think would be a good plan out of lego - see the video (apologies for the analogue design!)

Im wondering if anyone has any better ideas - ive looked on YouTube and theyre euther all quite basic or extremely complex

Happy to take my time with it and theres more of the bricks if I need them

Also, what about a chimney, people are always getting rid of them on marketplace and I think itd be pretty cool if I managed to do it as a recycled project. Im hoping to just have it freestanding without a cover on it so any recommendations on the style of chimney that'd work would be appreciated

Hi all

I am hoping somebody can advise - I am planning an extension to my 1905 Edwardian semi detached house, the front of the existing building has a red brick finish with very small (almost non existent!) mortar joints.

These red bricks and the very thing mortar joints are only on the front elevation, with the gable end being of a different brick style and with larger mortgage joints.

What style of brickwork is this, what would I need to ask for to achieve an exact match in style of the brick and bricklaying/mortar joint to ensure the front elevation of the extension looks the same as the main house?

Thanks

*UPDATE* https://imgur.com/a/0g2EQdF
here are more before and after pictures.
Basically we told the contractor we no longer wished to utilize their services. He said it’s not fair to judge an unfinished project only two days in and asked that we allow him to come back and fix his work. Seeing his initial work has us concerned we’re going to be getting much the same or giving us a bandaid fix that looks pretty. Any advice? I’m currently trying to find structural engineers near me right now.

Had some cracks like this around the house. Had some foundation work done. Then hired another contractor who was supposed to replace the damaged bricks and fix the cracks. Came home to this. Almost 3 inches of mortar joints at the top. When asked why he didn’t use new brick he said he was just showing us one option of how it can be done. Also said when using new bricks it can affect the integrity of the house…any truth to this? I’m just confused why he would spend 2 days doing this just to “present this as an option”. They also said the wide joints were necessary because of the cracks.

I’m moving house and wondering how much I should pay a apprentice to install a step very similar to this

There is a small wooden fence section adjacent to a brick fence in my back yard. I am a complete novice at bricklaying and am curious about two things- 1.can I extend the brick fence myself? I’m sure I could do it but is it a terrible idea given my lack of experience and the pattern of the wall? 2. What are the order of magnitude costs that you’d expect for either doing it myself or hiring a pro?

The aim is to remove the wooden fence and extend the lattice pattern across that space. Each lattice section is roughly 6’ 3” tall and 10’ wide.