Masonry Tools and Materials
Many homeowners take pride in DIY home improvement projects and skills. Though plumbing, painting, and even drywall projects are easily accomplished by typical do-it-yourselfers, masonry projects are more apt to be contracted out to professional masons. However, there are some people who are up for the challenge.
Masonry Tools
The tools and materials needed for any masonry project are every bit simple and typical as they are affordable and easy to understand. From crushed stone to limestone the materials used in a simple masonry project are common as common can be as are the limited tools used. For those who are steadfast in performing their own masonry projects, whether to build a fireplace, a retaining wall, or planters to name a few, it is essential that you have available basic tools and materials that you will need.
The basic tools you will need include the following:
- Trowels – Margin and V or Square – A long, somewhat thin trowel that is specifically used for piling mortar on top of stone and spreading it evenly across a veneer masonry unit, margin trowels are used with a focus on avoiding excess mortar from spilling over the side of structures. V or square notched trowels, on the other hand, are essential to spreading mortar evenly across a large flat surface.
- Mason Hammer – A specialized hammer specific to masonry work, the blunt side of a mason hammer is used for chopping stones and bricks in half by way of a single blow with the smaller side used for creating precise breaks in the pattern.
- Cold Chisel – Designed with a flat, wide head, a cold chisel along with a mason hammer is specifically designed for breaking stone and brick in half as well as removing brick from a brick wall. Further use of a cold chisel is to chip away excess mortar material.
- Wire Brush – Used specifically for brushing away concrete crumbs or various rock chips, a wire brush is indispensable. The brush helps to remove debris that accumulates on your work surface.
Effective Masonry Materials
When preparing to take on your masonry project, it is important to choose appropriate masonry materials for your project. Rather than go out and buy a significant amount of varied materials, well in advance of starting your masonry project, be sure to purchase necessary materials shortly before you begin your specialized project so as to avoid any potential moisture damage. When moisture comes in contact with your materials, they tend to harden quickly serving no benefit to your project once damaged. With that said, here are some common masonry materials to invest in:
- Mortar – A mixture of mortar is used specifically to ensure masonry units are able to strongly stick together.
- Veneer mortar – Enriched with polymers, veneer mortar can be somewhat expensive. It sticks to all types of vertical surfaces and is primarily used for manufactured veneer stones.
- Aggregate – This masonry material is a mixture of sand and often times gravel that is used to form the bulk of concrete used in masonry projects.
- Portland cement – A mixture of lime, alumina, iron, silica and gypsum, Portland cement is available in either 50-pound or 100-pound bags.
- Ready-mix concrete – This material is a pre-made mixture of sand, Portland cement and gravel that easily hardens and cures by simply adding water. It is primarily used for various types of deck supports as well as securely setting fence posts.
- Grout – A mixture of Portland cement and sand, this grout is used to fill in the seams located between various masonry units.
- Rebar – To increase the strength of many a masonry structure, rebar, reinforcing bars, and steel bars are embedded into the structures. Rebar is commonly specific to much larger masonry projects.
The Professionals You Can Trust
Here at Conncrete Works our team of dedicated professionals take pride in providing all our valued clients with only the highest quality products and services this side of the state. If you are in need of a professional mason, then we are the team for you. Give a shout out to one of our team to discuss your masonry project today!
