3. Below are some web sites that may be useful
for students studying construction:-
• www.ibstock.co.uk Bricks and related sites.
• www.bca.ogr.uk British Cement Association
• www.buildingdesign.co.uk Building design services
• www.igltd.co.uk IG steel lintels.
• www.catnic.co.uk Catnic lintels.
• www.constuction-index.com Manufacturers
• www.mortar.org.uk Mortar industry association.
• www.insulation-installers.co.uk Directory and related links.
• www.trada.co.uk Timber research
• www.tra.org.uk Timber trussed rafter
• www.hse.gov.uk Health & Safety Executive.
• www.ucatt.org.uk Union of Construction Allied Trades & Technicians.
• www.cskills.org.uk ConstructionSkills.
• www.sheffield.gov.uk Planning application
information.
• www.ebuild.co.uk Self-build / land for sale etc.
5. Characteristics of Materials
General purpose mortar can consist of:
• Sand.
• Ordinary Portland cement.
• Water.
• Plasticiser.
• Retarder.
• Accelerator.
• Pigments or colouring agents.
6. Requirements of a Mortar Mix
• The main requirement of a good mortar mix is
workability.
• Bricklayers require a mortar mix which is
described as ‘fatty’. This means it hangs on the
• trowel without being sticky, it spreads easily and
it does not stiffen too quickly or too slowly.
• The mortar should meet other requirements to
ensure that it retains its strength and
• durability during the life of the brickwork or block
work.
7. These requirements include:
• Adequate compressive strength.
• Adequate bond strength between mortar and bricks.
• Durability – resistance to frost and chemical attack.
• Joints sealed against wind-driven rain.
• An attractive appearance.
• The ability of the mortar to meet these requirements will
depend upon:-
• The materials specified for the mix.
• The workmanship of the bricklayer.
• The protection of the materials and brickwork against
adverse weather.
8. JOINTING & POINTING
When bricks have been laid to form a wall,
the surplus mortar is scraped flush with
surface of the brick face. This type of
surface finish is called
Flush Finish.
9. Why Point
• The main purpose of any joint finishing is to
improve the wall’s resistance to rain or the
ingress of water through the joint, as well as
enhancing the appearance of the wall.
• This is achieved by packing mortar into the
joints so that it has close contact with surface of
the brickwork.
• Jointing up brickwork is a critical part of building
face work, and it should not be hurried.
10. • One of the most important aspects of jointing up
brickwork is to avoid smudging or staining the
surface of the bricks.
• Timing is probably the most important aspect of
jointing up. The correct time to joint-up will be
determined by the suction rate of the bricks
being used and the weather conditions when the
bricks were laid.
• The consistency of the mortar is also crucial as
to when pointing takes place. If the mortar is too
wet, the joint will not be crisp and the mortar
may be dragged out from between the bricks.
11. JOINTING
• The term used for ‘finishing off’ mortar
joints, of the brickwork, before the
mortar hardens. (as the work proceeds)
19. TO RE-POINT AN EXISTING
PROPERTY
• Carefully remove old mortar, to a depth of
10mm, trying not to damage the surrounding
bricks.
• The old mortar must be removed ‘squarely’
off all the brick arrisess.
• Use a sharp plugging chisel or hand grinder.
• Wear the appropriate P.P.E. and consider
other people.
• Remove all traces of old or loose mortar and
brush joints well, to remove dust. Work from
the top, downwards.
20. • Mix mortar to specified mix and
workability. ( 1:4 )
• Use a fine water spray to dampen joints
for a small area (0.5 square metres)
• Using pointing trowel and hawk, force
mortar fully into joints and neatly finish
off.
• Protect pointing from weather, until set.
