One of the best things when it comes to masonry work, aside from the enjoyment of looking at the outcome of a decent project finished, is that the tools and materials are inexpensive, uncomplicated, and basic. The different tools used in masonry are for a specific function and it is important that you know what they are so if you are going to hire a masonry contractor, you will know what they are doing. Sometimes it helps to have enough knowledge about the service because it prevents a contractor from lying to you in case they are not reliable.
As the trade that had existed since the time when Ancient Egypt started, deals of masonry with some normal elements as crush stone compared to the earth and metal tools.
Tools used in masonry construction
Margin Trowel
This is a long and thin trowel for heaping small loads of mortar on a stone and then spreading it. Margin trowel are for handling narrow masonry like a stone veneer to prevent an overlap of excess mortar over the side of veneer units. Margin trowels are not used for all masonry projects, but it is like a universal trowel.
Mason’s Hammer
This one has 2 nice ends, 1 Is small and flat that looks like a hammer and the 2nd is flat and a bit sharp like a chisel. The one with the chisel end is for breaking bricks, stones or blocks precisely. The end with a hammer is for giving a little more power when you swing. Like breaking off a block’s part or brick that you already chipped away using the chisel end.
Blocking Chisel
It is a tool for giving a clean cut for bricks that must be split. This tool is made using steel and comes in different shapes and sizes. The way to use this is to hold one end while you strike the other end with a hammer. Most of the time, the chisel is preferred over the hammer because the cut is cleaner, but sometimes it is not necessary.
Veneer Mortar
This is a specialized kind of mortar enriched using polymers to help in the efficiency of veneer masonry units in sticking to vertical surfaces. This type of mortar can be pricey because it is about $30 for a 40-pound bag. Use this material only if there will be veneer stones and mix it in small batches only to make it last longer.
String and String Level
When the 2 ends of the wall are made constructed to build the right height, a string can be used for stretching from the block’s corner on 1 end to the block at the opposite end. By keeping it along the line, you are assured that the block/brick are being laid on a leveled row. This is done to every row so that you can rely only on your eyes instead of a level.
Steel Square Tool
It is a masonry tool used to make sure that the wall’s angle is at 90 degrees linked to the adjoining wall. In addition, it is used for different things like checking the right window angles, openings of doors and others.
Jointer
There are 2 different kinds of jointers. 1 is for bricks and blocks, the 2nd kind is for completing stone work. For the brick/block, the rounded jointer is what they use to work along the joint and then the mortar should be compact into the joint while the excess mortar is being scraped off. For stone construction, the flatter type of join is for scraping out the unused mortar from joints after they are grouted.
Patio Contractor
If you are going to lay blocks or bricks against the wall, use a chalk line for snapping a line with the correct height on the wall. So that, you are going to have a clear line where you can build up on the bricks or blocks. In addition, it can be snapped on a strong foundation to make sure that your 1st row of blocks or bricks are straight and aligned.
The tools used in masonry are very specific because it is for accomplishing a quality work. There are brick patio contractors you can contact for this type of work. Lagras
