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Several years ago, when my neighborhood church was undergoing repairs, I became the grateful recipient of some of the bricks they were giving away. I enthusiastically proceeded to rip up my badly damaged concrete sidewalk and replace it with these reclaimed bricks.

These bricks added character to both the yard and the house, and the hard work myself and my family put into the task, sure paid off. Oh the beauty of brick! However, if bricks are not laid with good planning and care, the results will not be that rewarding. The tips on bricklaying offered here, will help you get started on this exciting challenge.

Planning is of utmost importance. This stage requires that you carefully assess the number of bricks needed to complete the project. It never hurts to add some extras as you can always use extra bricks around the yard. You should also estimate a time allotment for the project and prepare a safe storage for the bricks and other related equipment.

Timing is always a consideration. If you live in areas with freezing temperatures, one valuable bricklaying tip is never to lay bricks when temperatures are at the freezing point,
Or where there is a possibility that temperatures could fall to that point before the mortar dries.

Footings are a basic requirement for brick laying. Without this support, your handiwork could be susceptible to the rigors of wear, and temperature changes. You can choose to either mix the mortar yourself or have this task done by a contractor. If you mix it yourself, please follow the mixing instructions on the package carefully.

Patterns of bricklaying are the products of your imagination, or you can choose one of many designs that can be found at your hardware store or in bricklaying design books. Some popular patterns are the Herringbone, Basketweave, Running Bond and the Radial. The fancier or more intricate the design, the more planning will be involved.

Holding it all together calls for either sand or mortar. Sand is used mainly for outdoor projects, while mortar for indoors, walls or fireplaces. Here again, you need to follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing.

Bricklaying can enhance your patio, garden, walkways, fireplaces and walls. When planning to undertake a bricklaying project, understand that it is not for the faint spirited. However, do not be intimidated. Perhaps the best tip I can give you is to research like projects and become familiar with the requirements, tools and supplies required for bricklaying. There is unlimited help out there if you look and ask, and remember, the satisfaction you feel at the end of your task is well worth the effort.

Learn more about this author, Joan Schroeder.
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