Step by Step Guide to Hard Plaster a Brick Wall

After constructing a brick wall, we need to plaster it. This is to prevent water ingress into the brickwork since bricks absorb water from outside. Also, to make up the issues in underlying brickwork like plumb-outs, diagonal-outs, etc. And lastly, it also helps prepare a proper base for further painting works (Putty application, paint application, wall paper application, etc.)

Now let us look at the step by step process of applying a hard plaster on a brick wall

Preparing the wall – Remove any excess dust and dirt from the wall with the help of a paint brush. Lightly brush the bricks with water as it helps the plaster to stick. Lay drop sheets in front of the wall.

Prepare the plaster mix – Before you proceed any further put on your dust mask, safety glasses and protective gloves. Add water in your mixing bucket. Add three buckets of sand and half a bucket of cement and half a bucket of lime. Use a mixer to combine all the elements.

Scooping up the plaster – Put a corner of the hawk into the plaster and use a trowel to push the mix onto the hawk. Rest the trowel on the hawk, tilt the hawk back and scrape the plaster onto the trowel.

Apply the plaster on the wall – Start from the top and from the right, work up to the bottom and the left while applying the plaster. Spread the mortar evenly across the wall. Use the brick lines as a guide. Start at the bottom of a brick and spread the plaster upwards about two to three bricks. Continue until the entire wall is covered.

Screed the wall – After the plaster is dry to touch, screed the wall to remove excess plaster and give it a flat finish.

Check for level plaster – Hold the spirit level vertically against the wall to ensure flatness, rub spirit level in areas of uneven plaster to flatten it.

Screed the wall – Screed the areas you rubbed with spirit level.

Patch up the wall - After the last screed, there might be areas where the plaster is uneven or patchy. Use the trowel and hawk to apply plaster where it’s needed.

Screed the wall - Again screed to flatten after patching

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Some nice design ideas for the boundaries & fences of your home

Given below, the details of some nice design ideas for boundaries and fences which can be used to safeguard and decorate your home.

Asymmetric geometry: If the home is designed with geometric components like straight lines, cubes or angles then a fence containing an asymmetric pattern can provide a dazzling and balanced appearance. Apply a neutral color so that it merges with the rest of the home.

Wood slats: Wood always offers a warm and comfortable look, and it never comes out of style. It is compatible with almost any design theme and includes a attractive natural component to the boundary.

Rustic wood finish: Unpolished wood in a metal frame provides a elegant appearance for a fence in a garden area since it provides a appealing rustic vibe to the space.

Iron with nature: Wrought iron is a perfect fit for a fence and is often integrated with brick for a classic appearance. However, it is possible to produce creating designs with it, similar to this nature-inspired tree pattern that delivers a modern component to the brick boundary wall.

Brick boundary: Because of the roughness of wood, it becomes a popular material for a boundary wall. Apart from including a warm feel to the exterior, it also provides texture, adding a classic appearance to the home.

Resistant WPC: Wood Plastic Composite or WPC is a strong and weather-proof option that can be applied for the fence. It is made of 60% recycled wood, 30% recycled plastic and 10% fire retardant material. As it looks like wood, it’s pretty too.

Wood, concrete, stone and tile: Modern fences employ a combination of materials to produce a spectacular effect. Under this system, the main fence is formed with natural stone on which the concretes planters are set at three different levels to accommodate space for a lovely garden.

Furthermore, with the use of redwood slats and grey stone cladding, the wall turns to be attractive.

To get more details, go through the following link www.homify.in



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co
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Some useful tips to repair the damage to the brick wall

This article throws light on brick wall damage due to frost & water along with cracking, spalling & white or coloured mineral salt deposits that is called effloresence.

One can get details about the types of damages to structural brick walls as well as how to identify & assess movement and cracks in brick walls together with brick wall bowing or bulging and cracking failures.

Water & Frost Damaged, Broken Bulging Brick Walls: Frost damage to the brick wall happens because of roof spillage that passes through the building wall. Water penetrates the space behind the facing wythe of bricks on the wall and it leads to continuous frost-push and risk of falling of at least the exterior parts of the wall.

Cracked Bricks in Strutural Building Walls

If there are cracked bricks in the exterior walls, leaks occur at the abutment of balcony as well as to the building structure.

Efflorescence: white, yellow, brown deposits on brick walls, chimneys, foundations

Efflorescence is the white mineral deposits on a structural brick wall caused by water.

The task is very difficult to control roof runoff to retain water from flowing over building walls particularly on bigger, taller buildings where entry to sustain the gutter system is not possible.

Spalling Brick Building Walls: The brick spalling occurs owning to roof spillage and rain splash-up against the foundation wall. The frost spalling create damage to the brick wall, particularly around the building windows.

The brick surface gets damaged (surface spalling and loss of the hard glazed finish) because of weathering, water and salt exposure that results in producing more severe frost damage that involve cracking and frost "pop out" of sections of individual bricks or entire brick portions of the structure.

Water & Frost Damaged Brick Foundation Walls, Loose Bricks

There may be rigorous water and frost damage to the corner of a brick building, perhaps from roof spillage at the end of a gutter that was periodically chocked.

To settle these bricks against further movement and probably more serious foundation damage, a mason should be employed to repair the corner with a combination of reconstruction of the most-loose (or missing) bricks, and tuck pointing the leftover open mortar joints.



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Published By
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www.constructioncost.co
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Methods to save sun shade for life long

Sun is the source of our energy; in the construction energy this sun plays a vital role as it helps to dry the site, helps to get the moisture far away from the materials etc.

But it is also true that shade is important in construction process as it plays as a protection shield for rest of the things like doors, window and inner sides of building form the scorching hot sun light and rain water. So if the sun shade is not placed and finished successfully, many problem will come one after another; major failure will be seen in the buildings also.

A sunshade is basically a metal shutter which is installed horizontally over a window and/or vertically in front of a window to stop the insertion of solar heat or glare while allowing daylight views.

Originally metal sunshades were known as “eyebrows” and simply added an extra dimension to a relatively flat surface. They were known as more of a building’s aesthetic feature than a functional one and also one of the first things to execute of the building to decrease owner’s cost.

This article is strongly dedicated to know about the right method of placing and finishing a sun shade through some easy steps.

Placing a Sunshade concrete in perfect way:

• Reinforcement placing and leaving correct clear covers are the two most important factors in sun shade. 
• In Sunshade, Main rod should be on top of the concrete to make the balance of the negative bending movement.
• The development length of sun shade should be followed and inserted to lintel beam as without development length of a rod for sunshade may lead to failure.

Finishing a Sunshade concrete in perfect way: A sunshade must be finished with water proofing where Flat tile should be on top and projected for half inch around three sides. Sunshade ceiling should have a water blocking border on its edge; at joint of the wall and sunshade the flat tile would be inserted to plastering to prevent the water.

To get details, go through the following link youtoobuild.blogspot.com



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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co
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Get some easy to follow tips for executing brick masonry from Floor to roof

Brick masonry work is one of the most vital part of building construction. In this informative construction article, you will learn how to accomplish the complete brick masonry work from Earth beam to roof.

The following four major steps are involved in brick masonry work :-

1. up to basement
2. up to sill level
3. up to lintel level
4. up to roof level.

Brick masonry up to Basement:

Prior to erect brick masonry, the most crucial task is to finish all adjoining column up to basement.

It is recommended to execute the column rising work prior to brick masonry otherwise the following problems may occur :-

While erecting brick wall, shedding of mortar should be provided in to the column bottom to make it rigid and not smoothly detachable.

In next day, as soon as the shuttering work is completed, some saw dust from different shuttering materials like plywood, timber also shedding in to the column bottom. They can’t be detached easily after shuttering.

When the column concrete is arranged after the completion of the brick masonry, the water in the concrete is absorbed with dry brick wall and a dry concrete is placed there devoid of adequate water cement ratio and it leads to a weak structure.

Therefore, the exact method is to initially execute the column work and after that accomplish the brick wall.

Initially, cleanse the entire earth beam with water and ready surface. Employ semi solid cement slurry on it. Spatter the brick with water. Chip the column sides by chisel and make the column surface rough so that a perfect binding is formed with brick joint.

Initially, erect the brick masonry as a reference pillar similar to a benchmark in all corners by applying the plump, set square and verify each opposite brick wall corner with level for each 3 courses. Alter the thickness of the mortar to retain the proper level. Abide by the remaining unless it attains the basement.

There will be 2 options just like above. Any one method can be applied at corners and in cross wall extension.

In the 1st method, there should be no weak straight joints. Mortar can be easily provided.

In the 2nd method, there should be weak straight joint. Mortar can't be easily provided for progressing further.

Once the corner reference wall is finished, each course can be formed one by one by attaching a strong thread among the two benchmark and thus the whole basement will be finished easily.

To get more detail information, go through the following link youtoobuild.blogspot.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Some useful guidelines for constructing parapet wall

Parapet wall stands for a protection wall that can resist the collapsing from terrace to ground. Different types of parapet walls are found which range from brick wall masonry parapet wall, wooden handrail, iron grill etc.

Size of parapet wall:

1. Thickness of parapet wall should be minimum 9''. (full brick parapet wall)
2. Half brick parapet wall is not recommended for use.
3. Height of the parapet should be minimum 3'0''.

Once the centering and shuttering from roof slab bottom is detached, some deflection may happen at mid span of roof slab (positive bending moment). Similar thing will happen at support like negative bending moment.

With a view to prevent negative bending moment at support, huge amount of loads are required as downwards. In case of constructing the parapet wall as half brick wall, the roof can’t be prevented from uplifting. If the parapet wall is constructed as minimum 9'' thickness and minimum 3'0'' height, the roof slab can be prevented from uplifting. Therefore, different types of cracks at bottom of ceiling will be captured. To get rid of uplifting of roof, the centering & shuttering should be eliminated once the entire full brick parapet wall is constructed.

If the first floor is extended in future, the existing parapet wall should not be dismantled in case the wall is constructed as 9'' thick.

Assume, the parapet wall is constructed as half brick wall, now it is required to demolish the current parapet wall up to roof and make it as 9'', therefore, extra money will be incurred up to sill level of first floor.

While erecting half brick parapet wall, brick pillars should be arranged at regular interval ( 5 to 6 feet). Inner surface of parapet wall does not include flat surface since lots of offset will be created. Therefore, some problems will arise in waterline and sanitary plumping works.

Water from pump and discharge from water tank will be influenced with various offset produced with half brick parapet wall.

No tie exists for half brick parapet wall. As a result, wind pressure may provide some effects. Sliding of parapet wall may also happen.

If the column height is terminated for the height of the parapet wall (3 feet), it is required to dismantle for overlapping in future first floor construction. Adjacent Brick parapet wall will also be affected. If the height of parapet wall remains 3 feet, the column height should be increased for extra height for future overlapping. Then the column and parapet wall will be protected from over damaged.

Conclusion:
It is recommended to construct full brick parapet wall for minimum height of 3 feet devoid of half brick parapet wall.
There should be some provision for column for future overlapping.



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How to develop strong brick veneer cavity walls

Brick veneer cavity walls are mostly recognized product which can be used at the exterior of different types of buildings. With its conventional, rugged aesthetic and tested performance, bricks become a perfect choice for commercial, institution, and multifamily residential structures.

While designing, detailing, and constructing a brick wall assembly, considerations should be given on various factors. Given below, some useful tips to maintain moisture control, thermal performance, integrity, and durability of brick walls.

Never skimp on flashing materials within the cavity. Conventional materials like copper, lead-coated copper, stainless steel are very expensive but they are considered as the most long-lasting and trustworthy options.

Plan for thermal expansion/contraction of brick and concrete. Brick assembles frequently integrate brick and concrete components, both of which are extended and compacted at various rates and in diverse conditions. Due to this detailing becomes complicated for horizontal and vertical expansion joints, shelf angles, and modifiable veneer anchors.

Choose the feeble mortar for the job. If the mortar is extremely rigid, adjoining bricks can’t be moved and result in producing cracks and spalls.

Arrange minimum one inch of air space behind brick veneer. This void space operates as the drainage cavity where water is headed downward to the flashing and weeps and out of the brick veneer. If open weeps are utilized, this air space also allows to discharge the cavity, facilitating the interior components to get dried instantly.

Get clear ideas on vapor flow direction, and detail accordingly. For normal buildings, the direction of water vapor flow will differ by season and often on every day, based on the climate.

To get more details, go through the following link www.bdcuniversity.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Types and properties of bricks

Bricks is produced from well clay molding, that is dried and then burnt. The size of the brick varies from 90 mm × 90 mm × 90 mm and 190 mm × 90 mm × 40 mm. With mortar joints, the size of brick varies from 200 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm and 200 mm × 100 mm × 50 mm.

Types of Bricks: Bricks are categorized as -

(i) Building bricks, (ii) Paving bricks, (iii) Fire bricks, (iv) Special bricks.

Properties of Bricks: The standard quality bricks should contain the following properties -

(i) Colour: The color should have been identical and clear.

(ii) Shape: Shape of the bricks should have been sharp and genuine rectangular angles.

(iii) Size: There should be standard dimensions for bricks with adherence to codes.

(iv) Texture: A standard brick should contain a fine, solid and consistent texture. They should be free from fissures, cavities, loose grit and unburned lime.

(v) Virtue: If the brick is hit with another brick, there should be a metal sound.

(vi) Hardness: If scratches are made with finger on a brick, there should not be any mark on the brick.

(vii) Strength: The breaking strength of brick should not be under 3.5 N / mm2. A field test is conducted to check the strength by dropping the brick from a height of 0.9 m to 1.0 mm on a hard surface. If the brick has good strength, the stone should not be broken into pieces.

(viii) Water absorption: Once the brick is drowned in water for 24 hours, the water absorption rate should not exceed 20 percent by weight. For class I bricks, this limit remains 15 percent.

(ix) Efficiency: There should not be any white patches in bricks when they are drenched in water for 24 hours and then allowed to dry in the shade. White stains may appear because of the existence of sulfate of calcium, magnesium and potassium. They retain masonry in wet and humid conditions.

(x) Thermal conductivity: Bricks should contain low thermal conductivity, so the buildings developed with bricks should have cold temperature in summer and warm temperature in winter.

(xi) Sound insulation: Bigger bricks have poor sound insulators whereas light and hollow bricks have superior sound insulation.

(xii) (xii) Fire resistance: Normally, the fire resistance capacity of brick is good. Actually, bricks are utilized to trap steel columns to safeguard them from fire.

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How To Conduct Various Tests For Checking The Quality Of Bricks

Brick is the vital element of any building construction. To make the building durable, the quality of the brick should be judged well.

Given the below the detailed lists of tests to detect the quality of bricks. Among these tests, some are done in laboratory and the remains are on the jobsite.

Compressive strength test

Water Absorption test

Efflorescense test

Hardness test

Size, Shape and Color test

Soundness test

Structure test

Compressive strength test: This test is executed to find out the compressive strength of brick. It is also known as crushing strength of brick. Usually 5 specimens of bricks are transmitted to laboratory for testing and tested separately. Under this test a brick specimen is provided to a crushing machine and applied pressure unless it breaks. The extreme pressure that is liable for brick crushing is also considered. All five brick specimens are verified separately and average result is treated as brick's compressive/crushing strength.

Water Absorption test: Under this test bricks are weighed in dry condition. Then the bricks are submerged in fresh water for 24 hours. Once the 24 hours are completed, these are withdrawn from water and expunge with cloth. Again the brick is weighed in wet condition. The variance between weights denotes the water immersed by brick. Then the estimation is made for the percentage of water absorption.

If the brick consumes less water, the quality of the brick will be better. Good quality brick doesn't consume more than 20% water concerning its own weight.

Efflorescense test: If the bricks contain alkalies, it is injurious as they develop a gray or white coating on brick surface through moisture absorption. This type of test is useful to detect the availability of alkalis in bricks. Under this test a brick is submerged in fresh water for 24 hours and then it's withdrawn from water and kept to be dried in shade.

If the whitish coat is invisible on surface, it ensures that no alkalis are present in brick. If the whitish coat is detectable about 10% of brick surface then the existence of alkalis is in tolerable range. If it is about 50% of surface then it may be reasonable. If the alkalis are available more than 50% then the brick is rigorously influenced with alkalies.

Hardness test: Under this test, the brick surface is scratched with a solid thing and if the brick is unaffected, then the quality of the brick is good.

Size, shape and color test: Under this test, arbitrarily collected 20 bricks are demarcated as per length, width and height and then those are computed to obtain the deviation of sizes according to standard. Bricks are carefully monitored to verify if its edges are sharp and straight and undeviating in shape. A superior quality brick must contain bright and unvarying color throughout.

Soundness test: Under this test two bricks are retained with both hands and hit with one another. If there is apparent metallic ringing sound and the bricks don't break then the quality of bricks are good.

Structure test: Under this test, a brick is cracked or a cracked brick is gathered and narrowly inspected. If there exist any flows, cracks or holes on that cracked face then that refers to inferior quality brick.

Ref : www.acivilengineer.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) And Its Properties

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) is a great substitute for R-30 (or higher) walls toward single and multifamily construction.

SIPs belong to a manufactured “sandwich” panel which are formed with two exterior faces of oriented-strand-board (OSB) wrapped with a core of stretched polystyrene foam insulation (EPS).

Based on the manufacturer and the needed properties of the final wall system, the material contained by the outer faces and the foam insulation core can differ. Alternate insulation cores consist of extruded polystyrene (XPS), polyisocyanurate and polyurethane. Besides OSB faces, there are other materials like plywood, straw board, and cement board.

Panels containing interior gypsum board or tongue-and-groove pine boards are also obtainable but these may be easily spoiled in transit. So, proper care should be taken while installing & handling them. The complete thickness of the foam core (and thus the R-value attained) is also adjustable and is normally available in dimensions.

Typical foam-core thicknesses are 3-1/2”, 5-1/2”, 7-3/8”, and 9-3/8”.

The complete, nominal R-value of a SIPs wall is a function of its thickness and the type of core insulation applied. Usually EPS foam is R-4 per inch, XPS is R-5 per inch, and polyisocyanurate and polyurethane are roughly R-6.5 per inch (the higher R-value cores are consistently more costly).

Building Design and Planning Considerations

In order to install SIPs successfully in a building project, proper plan should be set up to make the project panel-friendly.

Therefore, the design of the building should be simple in form devoid of any unnecessary jogs, bump-outs, non-90 degree angles, as well as the envelope openings are arranged to match with panel dimensions.

SIPs are applied virtually to any house design, but with a non-panel friendly plan, the amount of waste, internal posts, headers and structural panel slice lumber will rapidly count reducing the cost and performance advantage of a more improved design. The utilization of standard heights is correspondingly crucial in managing costs and eliminating waste. The availability of the largest panel is 8’ x 24’ (on the basis of the limits of obtainable OSB manufacturing), SIPs positioned horizontally contain a extreme wall height of 96”.

Similarly, SIPs positioned vertically contain a maximum width of 96”, but can be applied with full height to attain 8’, 9’, or even 10’ high walls.

Due to its more inflexible nature, cement board SIPs are more limited in dimension as compared to OSB SIPs, with usual sizes of 3’ x 8’, 3 x 9’, and 3’ x 10’ and are therefore always positioned vertically.

For more information, click on this link

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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How To Perfectly Lay Blocks For A Brick Wall

This construction video will introduce you to some useful construction tips on how to lay 12 inch block perfectly for a brick wall.

There are various types of concrete blocks available for present construction industries. Generally standard 8" units is widely used that can make the greater part of the foundation. Other types range from single and double corner units, which offer a smooth square or rounded corner. There are also jamb blocks which can be used for developing a doorway.

Sash blocks are applied if it is required to form casement windows with an opening. Place header blocks at the top of a wall to provide space for roof supports or other construction supports.

If required, the specialty blocks can also be purchase. Alternatively your building blocks can also be customized to give a personal touch to your project.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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