Bricklaying joints

Any brick building will turn out to be reliable and durable only if you correctly seal the seams between the individual blocks. Such a procedure will not only extend the service life of the construction, but also make it more aesthetic. Unfinished seams can literally "disfigure" the appearance of the building with their negligence and carelessness. In this article, we will take a closer look at what the features of brickwork jointing are, and what types of it exist.

Joining brickwork is a special procedure during which the seams between individual bricks are compacted and processed, which has a beneficial effect on both the appearance and the stability and insulation of the brick building. Without high-quality joining, such structures usually look very poor and disharmonious.

It is permissible to use high-quality jointing both when decorating internal and when decorating external wall bases. In the conditions of the street, such procedures are the most relevant and demanded. However, many users are asking an important question: what is the joining of brickwork for? Let's try to figure it out.

This procedure is intended to accomplish several important tasks.

• As mentioned earlier, jointing has a positive effect on the appearance of brick buildings. Thanks to her, such constructions look much neater and more aesthetically pleasing.
• High-quality grouting of joints between individual bricks significantly reduces the amount of moisture that gets directly to the joints and thereby destroys the cement base. Thanks to this ability, joining extends the life of buildings, minimizing the need for frequent and costly repairs.
• Competently executed jointing makes it possible to increase the insulating qualities of a brick building, because it is the seams that usually become a source of heat release.
• Do not think that joining brickwork is not needed in the conditions of internal walls. In fact, thanks to this detail, you can transform the interior, giving it a special flavor.
• Joints are allowed to be used not only on brick, but also on natural stone foundations. In both cases, carrying out such work will give the structures an attractive appearance and additional strength.

There are several types of brickwork jointing. Let's take a closer look at the most common options.

• Flush or flush. This method is considered to be the most affordable, therefore it is very often referred to when forming neat brickwork seams. Its essence lies in the fact that the outstanding mortar from the wall base is simply cut off using a tool such as a trowel. Then the seams between the bricks are processed again with a stiff brush. After that, the joints become perfectly smooth and aesthetic.
• Recessed rectangle. This jointing method is considered more difficult and time consuming.However, such processing can give the brickwork a more attractive appearance. To perform such a jointing, you will first need to remove the old mixture (to a depth of about 6 mm), and then seal the seams. After these procedures, the joints are processed with a special rounded dowel.
• Concave. This method is very common. It consists in the elimination of the protruding masonry composition and further processing of the seams with the help of a tool, which is also called "jointing".
• Beveled. With this method of processing the seams, the excess masonry composition is cut off with a trowel, adhering to an acute angle. The deepening in this case should be no more than 3-4 mm.

It is quite possible to do the jointing of brickwork on your own. In this case, you should follow the simple instructions. Usually, vertical joints are processed first, and only then horizontal ones. In addition, it is very important to control the thickness of the brickwork itself. So, the permitted size of the seam horizontally is 10-15 mm, and vertically - 8-12 mm.

If you decide to do the joining of the brick luggage yourself, then first you need to carry out the following preparatory measures:

• update the old cladding;
• remove the old composition between individual bricks at a depth of 15 mm (in order not to harm the bricks, it is worth using such a convenient device as a wedge made of wood);
• clean the surface of the base from dust, mold and other inclusions;
• it is good to clean the seams with a brush and a compressor (such procedures must be carried out very carefully, but carefully so that no dirt remains at the joints);
• moisten the seams.

When joining brickwork, the following action plan should be followed:

• when laying the order, the solution that has protruded beyond the base will need to be cut based on the level of the masonry itself;
• when the solution hardens, the surface will need to be cleaned using a stiff brush;
• after that, jointing should be done vertically (movements should be carried out in the direction from top to bottom, during such work, the tool must be pressed inward);
• then, using a flat wooden lath, horizontal seams should be arranged;
• after that, the brickwork is sealed;
• the ambassadors of the solution drying remove the excess from the surface.

For self-arrangement of joining You will need the following tools and accessories:

• hard brushes;
• Master OK;
• trowel;
• special pistol;
• small hammer;
• accessories required for the formation of seams;
• a flat rail made of wood (it is advisable to use a part that is at least 1 meter long);
• a spray bottle with which you can moisten the joints between the bricks.

At the preparatory stage of work, it is necessary to correctly prepare the mixture. This requires the following important components:

• cement;
• sand;
• white lime;
• water.

Of course, it is not at all necessary to prepare the mortar mixture yourself, using all of the listed ingredients. You can easily purchase a ready-made product in the store that does not require preliminary preparation. If you nevertheless decide to make a solution on your own, then you should proceed according to the following scheme:

• mix sand, lime and cement in proportions 1: 10: 1;
• combine the specified components in a dry state;
• gradually fill them with water until a consistency resembling sour cream;
• make sure that there are no unnecessary inclusions in the mixture.

Masonry joining can be started not only during construction work, but also after their completion. How to proceed in the first case was discussed above. Now you should familiarize yourself with the nuances of such works when it comes to finished brickwork.

If initially the masonry was carried out without joining, then over time the joints between the individual bricks will be destroyed. Dampness and moisture will penetrate inside. Walls in such buildings, as a rule, inevitably begin to be covered with noticeable cracks. In order to prevent further destruction of the base foundations, it is necessary to make the correct jointing. Before this, the surface will need to be cleaned and moistened. Then a number of works should be carried out:

• the jointing compound is laid on a spatula, and then applied and pressed into the joints between brick blocks;
• when the mixture dries up, but is still quite plastic, vertically, and then horizontally, the joining itself should be done;
• so that all lines are as straight as possible, it is recommended to use a wooden lath during work;
• after completing the jointing, excess lumps of the composition must be removed from the surface of the base, using a stiff brush for this.

If we are not talking about a wall base, but about a brick oven, then high-quality joining will also be useful here. Many users neglect such works, but in fact they are very useful, as they make the brick structure more reliable, regardless of its main purpose. In this case, the order of work will be as follows:

• first, the solution is removed at the joints at a depth of 10 mm;
• then the surface of the base is thoroughly cleaned of dirt and dust;
• all existing voids will need to be filled with special embroidery paste;
• then an even and neat seam is created using a special tool;
• until the mixture is completely hardened, its excess should be removed with a stiff brush.

If the wall was built with the popular yellow brick, then black seams can be used to create interesting contrast. At the same time, the brick block itself should be filled with a white compound. You can get the desired shade if you supplement the base with a suitable pigment.

Do not sew up the seams between the bricks if the weather is hot outside. Under these conditions, the solution will dry unexpectedly quickly. In addition, experts advise to wait if it rains, otherwise the composition will absorb too much moisture into its structure, which will negatively affect its qualities.

It is not necessary to prepare the solution for all walls at once. It is better to mix it in small portions using an electric concrete mixer. Laying an already drying (or excessively liquid) mixture on the seam will lead to the formation of cracks at the very first temperature jump.

When preparing a suitable solution, it is important to remember that it must have a uniform consistency. In no case should there be foreign inclusions or debris in it.

When choosing a trowel suitable for work, it should be borne in mind that existing devices are of two types:

• K-B - a variant in the form of a triangular blade;
• K-P is a tool with rounded corners and a pointed upper part of the base.

For jointing brickwork, see the video below.