How to test for a good brick?

 

How to test for a good brick?

Drop a brick vertically from a height of 1 m. A good quality brick will not break.

Strike two bricks against each other. Good quality bricks will produce a clear ringing sound on contact.

Perfect Mix

For a 4"thick wall (partition walls in the middle of the house), keep mortar proportion as =1:4 • (cement: sand)

For a 9"wall (outer wall), keep mortar proportion as = 1:6 (cement: sand)

Good Practice

Begin work at the corners, first to a height of 3 or 4 layers with base extending in steps.

Place all bricks on their bed. The depression on top provides space for the mortar to bond well. Use line-string, plumb bob, and spirit level for checking alignment, and to keep vertical and horizontal lines straight.

Soak your bricks in water for 8 hours at least before use, else it will absorb moisture from mortar.