Bricklaying: The good and the bad

Bricklaying is generally best left to the professionals. Done well, it can create a beautiful, secure construction, as an integral part of your home or as a feature such as a garden wall. If done poorly, the result can be catastrophic - a dangerous construction, or at least be permanently unsatisfying. So how do you distinguish quality bricklaying from the shonky variety? It is important to be able to recognise the signs of poor work as early as possible, in order to have the problem corrected, or at least to replace the contractor and avoid paying for their mistake.

Good bricklaying: How to recognise it

Recognising the signs of good bricklaying can reassure you that your project is on the right track. Look for the following signs:

• Bricks, mortar and equipment have been selected carefully, in consultation with you where appropriate
• The contractor follows the AS 3700 Australian Standard, and is happy to discuss any safety of quality questions you have
• The construction site area is well managed - look for whole, well stored bricks that are not left wet or damp (or are cleaned before use), chipped or damaged bricks are not used, and all council regulations are followed
• Bricks should be blended - bricks from different pallets should be mixed together, to create a uniform appearance
• Joint thickness should be consistent throughout the work, and appropriate to the type of bricks used.
• Patterns of bricks are consistent, and appropriate to the design agreed to. Bond styles include Old English, Stretcher, Flemish or Stacked bonds, and the bricklayer should be able to describe these to you before commencing work
• The number of bricks used in the finished job should tally with the original estimate, leaving few extras, to allow for proper planning
• DPC (Damp Proof Course) should be visible at the bottom of a wall - this will be a plastic membrane. If not visible, it will not work properly to protect brickwork from ground damp and salt

Signs of bad bricklaying

Poor quality bricklaying may be recognisable by the preparation process. Suspect problems when:

• Contractor is unwilling to answer questions
• Preparation is poor; site is messy and possibly dangerous
• Chipped or broken bricks are used, and bricks are not well blended, creating 'patches' of different colour
• Uneven joints or thicknesses of mortar. Unevenness anywhere in the work - corners, joints, or brick patterns
• Poor planning; excess bricks, mortar and other materials, or not enough

Bricklaying: Other information

The quality of bricklaying work can make a huge difference to your home renovation, and checking on quality as well as safety of the work done is important. Choosing the right contractor who follows AS 3700 standards will get your project off to a positive start. One further tip: checking progress personally can ensure that your project is a pleasure rather than an eyesore.