Bricklayers

Bricklaying - Stonemasonry - Blockwork

Bricklayers and Bricklaying: The conventional strategy when confronted with home improvement projects that require any kind of brickwork would be to get on the phone to a professional UK bricklayer. Not that many homeowners in the UK will be blessed with the skills and self-confidence to have a bash at this kind of work themselves, and therefore hiring a professional is undoubtedly the wisest decision.

When considering getting bricks laid you shouldn't try to get it done on the cheap, because you need it done correctly. Quite often a handyman in the UK will offer bricklaying services and for simple tasks they can do a respectable job, however for any serious bricklaying projects, make sure to bring in a seasoned bricklayer who is at the top of his / her game.

With anything from the foundations, or footings, right up to the varying types of coping on a simple wall, a qualified bricklayer in the UK can offer suggestions about every aspect of your job.

He or she also be conscious of such concerns that unqualified amateurs like you would probably not even think about, like how to stop rainwater ingress, humidity control, thermal insulation of different brick varieties and water runoff. Every one of these details are specifically critical for conservatory and exterior building walls in the UK and the precise size foundations are crucial for any building project. Not deep enough or too narrow and the brickwork is in danger of being unbalanced and toppling over.

The average amateur bricklayer may well turn out sub-standard work which isn't what is required, because he/she will likely not comprehend all these finer details. A qualified tradesperson will automatically allow for every situation and won't even have to spare a thought for what's the optimal way to complete any particular bricklaying task. Heedlessly using any bloke with a trowel isn't a great idea, since you really need to get someone you're able to have faith in to do this sort of work. Be prepared to pay a reasonable price and book in a knowledgeable tradesperson and you will not be sorry at the end of the day.

Certified UK bricklayers will not only be specifically trained to do the job correctly and safely, but will also be armed with the right equipment and tools, an awareness of modern construction techniques along with all related occupational safety and health considerations to guarantee the safety of your project.

Undergoing education throughout their working life, a qualified bricklayer should have finished occupational training, City and Guilds and other qualifications and certificates in the building industry which display their skill at the mastering of this ancient vocation. Before starting any kind of project in the UK they will examine your requirements and needs so as to offer a detailed quotation and all work should be fully guaranteed to to provide a worry-free experience.

Seek out those in the UK who are members of trade bodies for example the National Federation of Builders (NFB), the Guild of Builders and Contractors, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), the British Standard Institution (BSI) and the Fair Trade Association. Should you have any concerns about a particular craftsman, whether it's relating to his claimed qualifications and experience or his standard of workmanship, then you might consider getting in touch with the Guild of Builders and Contractors to see if there are any current grievances regarding them. Taking all of these measures ought to make certain you hire the perfect UK bricklayer for your construction project.

Brick Cleaning UK

Day-to-day traffic, life and weather can, as time goes by, leave your brick walls and features looking less than ideal, with a build-up of dust and undesirable marks. Do not be tempted to use a high-pressure jet washer to clean your dirty brickwork because bricks aren't really designed to be washed down in this way. A pressure washer's jet undermines the outer protection layer on bricks, exposing them to weathering and erosion. If loose sections of mortar is dislodged, high pressure water will be driven into the resulting gaps and possible weakening of the wall's structure can occur.

For best outcome and to avoid the possibility of damage, hire a professional brick cleaning service in UK. Their understanding of the correct low pressure washing procedures and specific biodegradable chemical washes will quickly have your bricks seeming like new. (Tags: Brick Cleaning UK, Brickwork Cleaning UK, Brick Cleaning Services UK).

Brick Built Barbecues UK

When the weather conditions pick up in the UK and the warm summertime days and evenings at last put in an appearance, many people's thoughts turn to spending a little quality time in the garden, and maybe lighting up the BBQ. What do you think the odds are that your rusty old barbecue has deteriorated even further during the damp winter season, and just gives up the ghost when loaded with all that charcoal? Perhaps the time is right to get in touch with a local bricklayer to build you your very own barbie, so you can get the burgers on whenever you feel the urge. There is a price to pay for such a convenience however, because the materials on their own could run you to a couple of hundred quid, and add this to the labour costs and it's going to be a sizeable investment. Naturally the upside is that your barbie will always be standing there ready and waiting when it's needed, the weather will have hardly any detrimental effects on it, and your solid brick-built structure will look great and give excellent service for a considerable period of time.

Brick and Flint Walls UK

For your boundary or garden wall in the UK, an attractive alternative to a standard brick wall would be a brick and flint wall. Used since the times of the Romans for all types of building projects, flint is certainly worth thinking about if you're searching for a wall in the UK that stands out from the crowd.

The flint in one of these walls generally takes the form of a decorative panel that is surrounded by plain brickwork. More popular in regions where flint is abundant, these types of walls can in fact be constructed more or less anywhere, as long as a reliable supply of flint can be found.

Not all UK bricklayers have the required skills to build brick and flint walls, thus before choosing a professional for this kind of work, always ask if you can see photographic evidence of walls that they've previously built, because this is a fairly specialist craft. (Tags: Brick and Flint Garden Walls UK, Brick and Flint Walls UK, Flint Walls UK).

Brickwork Arches UK

Employed in the construction of buildings for many hundreds of years, brick archways can be built for both decorative and structural purposes. With many different designs such as horseshoe arches, multicentred arches, jack arches, segmental arches, tudor arches, gothic arches, semicircular arches, Roman arches, bullseye arches, draped arches, and many others, archways have been used to great effect throughout history. The procedure of building a brick archway certainly isn't an undertaking for amateurs so you must ensure that whoever you engage knows exactly what they are doing, and has prior experience of building arches. (Tags: Brick Archways UK, Brick Arches UK, Brickwork Arch UK)

House Extensions UK

One of the primary assignments that bricklayers in the UK are seen working on is property extensions. The interest in extensions is prevalent since this is the main way that house owners gain extra living space. The bricklayer will carry out the vast majority of the work involved in a house extension, other than the roof and floor. Subject to exactly who you you engage to carry out the extension, your "bricky" could be working alone or perhaps as an employee of a building company. The bricklayer will get to work laying the bricks and blocks and forming windows and doorways as specified on the architect's plans, once the foundations have been put down. It's important that the bricklayer lays bricks which match those of the present building, if this is done the finished new extension should look as if part of the principal structure. (Tags: Home Extensions UK, House Extensions UK, Property Extensions UK)

Ashlar Walling UK

Recognisable because of their clean, square edges and smooth, even faces, Ashlar blocks are used to produce a convincing looking stone wall much more cheaply than stone that has been quarried. Delivering a wall that can appear virtually seamless, Ashlar blocks only have joints which are three millimetres wide when they're laid properly. Aslar walling is ideal for use on renovation projects in the UK and can be manufactured in virtually any colour needed. Consequently, there are 2 major advantages to using Ashlar walling; the final result is inclined to be more accurate than it would be with natural stone, and the whole task can be completed at a far more realistic price.

Brick Fireplaces UK

A fantastic feature in any home in the UK is an inviting brick fireplace. A beautiful brick built fireplace can be a warming source of coziness on cold, dark winter's nights, and is a feature that plenty of UK householders dream of in their homes.

If you want to restore an existing brick fireplace, or are looking to build a brand new one in your house, a reliable UK bricklayer will be happy to offer guidance and advice. In a majority of remodelling scenarios the composition of the fireplace supports the hearth, chimney and breast. You are going to need special supporting gear to maintain it's structural integrity if you are chopping out any of the fireplace bricks during renovation work. For the best results and to ensure that your brick fireplace is refurbished or built using all current building codes and regulations, use the services of a competent bricklayer in the UK who will manage the project from beginning to end. Tips on Building a Brick Fireplace

Brick Repointing UK

You might not just require a bricklayer for building new brickwork in the UK, also you could need to employ one for renovating worn and damaged wall structures as in the case of repointing. Mortar joints are liable to break down or become damaged when they have been subjected to harsh weather conditions for years and years. Raking out and restoring such joints is referred to as re-pointing. If you have repointing work that requires attention in the UK, it is recommended to hire an experienced bricklayer rather than a handyman type person. This isn't the sort of work that ought to be taken on lightly, because improperly re-pointed brickwork will look dreadful and is hard to correct if it isn't done properly.

Brick Garden Walls UK

The construction of a brick garden wall is probably one of the most commonplace projects that bricklayers in the UK are asked to do. A skillfully built garden wall is a great asset to anyone's garden and is longer lived, stronger and more attractive than garden fencing. And thanks to its considerable strength, a brick or stone wall can serve functions other than just delineating the boundary between your garden and a a public pathway or road or separating your property from a neighbours. Just some of the further functions that a stone or brick wall can fullfil include employing it to house your barbecue, to establish a border between a lawn and a patio area, to retain a soil bank, to form terracing on a steep slope, to support a raised bed, to create an area for dustbins or to enclose a compost heap. If you're to end up with a straight, sturdy and safe brick wall, the most vital aspect is the foundation, which should be not less than 100mm deep by 300mm wide (150mm x 450mm for retaining walls) and made out of concrete.

Bricklaying Courses UK

If you would simply like to to perfect some basic skills in bricklaying so you can accomplish a few projects in your home, there are often courses accessible through private training classes and in local colleges in the UK area. If there aren't any courses to be had in your area, you may need to do a bit of travelling to find one. For instance, a basic City & Guilds Bricklaying Course (Level 1) could be completed in a 3 week intensive course whereby you will learn • Health and Safety in construction, • Building a half-brick corner, • Constructing brick walling (English bond), • Constructing cavity walls in brick and block, or you might be able to sign up for evening classes which would of course take longer than 3 weeks. An outlay of roughly £1500 will almost certainly be required to secure a course such as this.

There are of course lots of compelling articles online, offering advice and tips on hiring a decent bricklayer. We recently uncovered this informative post which could be of use to you.

Current UK Bricklaying Jobs

Recently posted UK bricklaying job postings: Natan Baker and Grace Paterson from Cowes, UK need somebody to build a brick doorstep. Mrs John wanted a bricklayer in Hessle to repoint a whole house. Miss Mould needed a local Dundee bricklayer who's able to reconstruct a chimney stack which has toppled over. Alessio Manning in Clydebank would like to have an open fireplace built in the living room. Mrs Mustafa was struggling to find a bricklayer in Galashiels, UK to take out a current brick column and make an entrance bigger. Mr Underwood was in need of a local Inverness bricklayer who is able to brick up a garage doorway and install a small window. Brody wanted a local Canterbury bricklayer who's able to remove and replace a block paved driveway. In Portsmouth Jannah Drury needs a bricklayer who can remove and replace a block paved area in her mom's back garden.

Bricklaying Tasks UK

UK bricklayers will likely help with brick walkways, herringbone brickwork in the UK, brick footings, brickwork foundations, bedding in DPCs, brickwork columns, architectural bricklaying, building up gable ends in the UK, renovation work, brick retaining walls, radius walls, laying padstones in the UK, brick garages, damaged brickwork renovation, bricklaying services in the UK, brick restoration in the UK, brickwork paths, conservatory bases, brick chimneys, Ashlar walls, masonry, brick steps, commercial bricklaying, bricking up windows, brickwork extensions, installing RSJ's in the UK, brickwork boundary walls in the UK, brick landscaping in the UK, home extensions, brick repointing, brick cleaning and other bricklaying tasks in the UK.

Ways to Find a Bricklayer in the UK

Of the various solutions available to look for local tradesmen in the UK such as bricklayers, one which has existed for some time is web-based directories. These are really the modern alternative of the old Yellow Pages, which everybody in the UK used to use to contact services locally. Today customers look in Touch Local, Local Life, Yelp, 118 118, Mister What, Yell, Thomson Local, Cyclex and City Visitor, although having a business listed in these does not guarantee you a decent quality of craftsmanship, due to the fact that more or less anyone can promote their services in such resources An additional popular technique for locating a bricklayer in recent times is to look on one of the trade portals such as My Hammer, Local Heroes, TrustaTrader, My Builder, Checkatrade or Rated People, and it is on such portals that clients can submit reviews and testimonials with regards to the standard of the work done and the people who did it. And lastly, you should ask fiends and neighbours if they are able to suggest a tradesman they have used previously.