How to lay a silicate brick

Silicate brick has been used in construction for quite some time. He established himself as a fairly comfortable and durable material for the construction of buildings. Like any other building material, silicate bricks have advantages and disadvantages. The first is much more. That is why this building material is widely popular, and we will tell how to put a silicate brick independently.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of silicate brick

This type of brick consists mainly of quartz sand. It also includes lime and other additives, but their share is insignificant. Make it by pressing dry. Then douse with water vapor. Silicate brick weighs 4 kg and has the correct shape. Durability depends on the brand. In addition, it is of different types: for personal work or ordinary. Due to special additives silicate brick can be of several colors. If desired, you can find a brick of various forms.

Various buildings are erected from silicate bricks, up to multi-storey buildings. This building material is an excellent sound insulator, so it is often used in the construction of interior walls. He is a veteran in the construction market. Actively began to produce it in Soviet times, but thanks to the mass of positive properties, it is widely in demand now.

The technology of masonry brick silicate is no different from the usual masonry. When laying use the same rules.

The weight of silicate brick is an order of magnitude greater than that of its "relatives" of other species. Due to this, the strength of the erected structure increases. At the same time, the price of such a brick is much lower. This results from the fact that time for its production leaves less.

Another important advantage is that silicate brick and its structures are safe for the health of people living in it. It is noteworthy that the fungus does not form on the surface of such walls.

The disadvantages include instability to severe frost - the house of silicate brick will have to be insulated additionally. When building multi-storey buildings, it is better to choose another material. It is also not recommended to lay it in the foundation, to put fireplaces or stoves out of it. This type of brick collapses from high temperatures. The constant impact of groundwater containing salts adversely affects this type of brick. Use it when laying the foundation is possible only with high-quality abstraction of groundwater.

Video: about the pros and cons of silicate brick

The correct solution: preparation

There are several ways to prepare the mortar for silicate brick. It is used in order to avoid the displacement of bricks relative to each other. The easiest way to prepare is cement or lime and sand. The first components act as a binder. They are sometimes replaced with clay. Sand use medium fraction. The solution is prepared as follows: three parts of sand are added to one part of the cement. The resulting mixture should be quite thick, since the silicate brick absorbs water well, and this may impair the strength of the masonry. Put the solution in a thin layer, so the flow is small. It is better to prepare a solution in small volumes.

Another type is cement-lime. To make it, slaked lime should be mixed with water, then passed through a sieve. Sand and cement (1: 3–6) separately prepare the mixture in a dry batch. Then it is filled with lime water. This method improves the plasticity of the solution.

Clay is sometimes added to increase plasticity. Plasticizers are usually added during the preparation of the mortar for facade walls.

Tools and materials

When the foundation of the house is already laid, you can proceed to the construction of walls. To do this, you will need materials for the preparation of the solution and construction tools. The latter include:

1. Trowel or trowel - an indispensable tool when laying bricks. The master conducts the main work with a trowel - he collects the mortar, applies it to the bricks and removes his remains, which are squeezed out from under the blocks.
2. A hammer is required to correct masonry.
3. To determine the parameters of the series using the order.
4. Verticality of the wall is checked by a plumb.
5. For even horizontal styling, use a cord or thread.
6. Level needed to control the horizontal.

When working with a trowel, the tool is held parallel to the brick row. At a time, gain a solution with a volume of pear. It is usually enough for a layer of 10 mm thick, under two bricks. When properly working with a trowel, very little mortar is released from under the brick blocks. It is also removed with a trowel.

Masonry technology - detailed instructions

1. After preparing the foundation, in order to identify the distortions in time, a construction level is applied. If there are shortcomings, they are leveled with cement. Now knead the solution for silicate bricks and start laying from the corners. The process is quite simple, especially in one brick. Secure the cord or thread to control the laying plane.
2. First prepare mortar "bed". The solution is applied with a trowel on the base, level and remove excess from the front side of the masonry. The brick is placed on the mortar, tapped, level by level.
3. Next stack the second and subsequent bricks. In this case, the solution is applied not only on the base, but also on the end of the previous brick.
4. The second row of bricks are laid with bandaging, i.e. bricks are shifted by half relative to the first row.

When laying a wall of two rows of bricks, you need to remember that dressing is necessary between the walls. To solve the problem, you can lay bricks in every second row transversely. So they will connect all the stones. Coincidence in the rows of seams is unacceptable. The second method of dressing - in every fourth row turn several bricks across in a row. Both of the above methods are used interchangeably if the complex masonry consists of three rows.

Video: silicate brick masonry technology

Professional Tips

• When laying walls of silicate bricks there are several ways to bandage stitches. This is to make it stronger. The most common method is vertical. Longitudinal ligation ensures uniform distribution of the load on the wall along its entire length, helps to avoid vertical delamination. Transverse ligation will provide a good longitudinal bond of bricks.
• To build a solid wall periodically between the rows lay reinforcing mesh. Thanks to its use, cracks in the wall can be avoided.
• Before starting work, it is better to dip the bricks in water so that they do not draw the liquid out of the solution.
• Experts do not recommend beginners to begin to lay the silicate bricks on the mortar. It is better to learn how to fit the stones to each other without him.
• It is recommended to lay bricks no more than 10 rows per day. If you do not follow this rule, the walls may swell and you have to shift them.
• Professionals recommend that the first row of bricks should first be laid without mortar in order to quickly undercut if necessary. If applied immediately, further trimming can be very problematic.
• In order to not periodically run after materials during construction work, everything should be prepared in advance. This primarily concerns the stock of bricks, which is laid out in small blocks along the wall being erected.
• The solution is usually mixed a little, but if the wall is laid in several hands, you may have to resort to using a concrete mixer.

DIY bricklaying can also be done by a non-professional while observing the above simple rules. If you have any questions regarding technology, please contact our experts.

Video: brick masonry tips from a professional

Video: limestone mortar