Flickr credit It’s probably still a bit too cold for most people to spend hours outside working on a new design for their garden, but the weather is due to pick up in a couple of months, so now really could be the best time to start making plans, especially if there are some structural […]
A Quick Guide to Building Brick Walls
So you’ve decided that you’d like to save some money this year and build that new interior, or even exterior wall yourself. Good Move! However, undertaking a job like this can be troublesome, and there are many factors you need to consider. Professionals do this type of thing all day long, and although this is […]
The DIY Guide to Re-Pointing Brickwork
Tools required :- Small spade / shovel, spot board, bucket, bricklaying trowel, finger (pointing) trowel, a piece of metal or rubber tube 20 - 25mm dia, lump hammer, bolster chisel, soft hand brush, power hand grinder, extension lead, ladder or scaffold tower. Safety tips :- Take care when working at height, especially on ladders, if possible […]
How to Form Level Concrete Foundations
Tools required :- Wood saw, lump hammer, tape measure, spirit level. To achieve a good level concrete foundation excavate the soil and hardcore as level as possible to the required depth for your brick / block work. If you need a foundation depth of say 12″ (300mm), as an example, saw some 1″ x 1″ (25mm x 25mm) […]
Bricklaying Tips and Advice for the DIYer
Bricklaying usually requires a bit of practice in order to ‘get the knack’. Most DIYers, myself included, usually jump in with both feet and start the project straight away. As you become more experienced in the world of DIY, you’ll realise it’s better to have a plan first! If you have never laid bricks before […]
How to Drill a Hole in Brick, Concrete or Tile
Whenever you have to drill a hole in brickwork or concrete, whether it’s for a fixing or for a pipe/cable to pass through, once you have marked the centre of the hole start drilling using a good quality masonry bit with the hammer or SDS action switched off so the drill bit creates an indentation. You might like: […]
How to Build a Brick Barbecue
Building your own brick barbecue requires a bit of planning before you start. It should go without saying, but please, build your BBQ a safe distance from anything flammable (inlcuding your fence!), and where the smoke won’t fill yours or your neighbour’s house. To get the dimensions for your brickwork you will need your grill set […]