Block/Brick Masonry
Concrete Blocks
- Use concrete blocks as they are cost effective, and enable faster construction, increase in floor area and eco-friendliness.
- They provide better insulation against sound, heat and dampness.
- The rough surfaces of concrete blocks provide a better bond while plastering.
- Use of concrete blocks leads to savings in mortar, due to the lesser number of joints.
Burnt Clay Bricks
- Use well-burnt clay bricks that are of uniform shape, size and colour.
- The bricks should produce a metallic ringing sound when struck together, and should be hard enough to resist a fingernail scratch.
- Should not absorb more than one-sixth of their weight after one hour of immersion in the water.
- Adequately soak the bricks in water before use, for a minimum of eight hours.
- Should not break when dropped from a height of 3–4 feet.
Masonry
- Lay the blocks/bricks on a full bed of mortar and lightly press it, to ensure proper adhesion.
- Brick should be laid with frogs faced upwards, except in the top layer.
- Ensure that all the block/brick courses are truly horizontal and truly vertical. Stagger the vertical joints.
- The thickness of joints should not be more than 10 millimetres.
- Rake the joints to a depth of 12 millimetres, to provide a key for plastering.
- Use cement mortar in a 1:6 proportion.
- The height of construction of masonry should not exceed more than 1m per day.
- Place rebars that of 6 millimetres at every 4th course of masonry in half block/brick partition walls.
- Cure the block/brick work for a minimum of 10 days.