Bricklayer Jobs
Bricklayers build the interior and exterior walls of buildings as well as repair existing walls and refurbish old buildings. Building a wall is a skilled job and Bricklayers involves cutting bricks using hammers, chisels or portable power tools, laying the bricks in courses (horizontal layers), spreading mortar with trowels and checking that the wall is straight and level using lines and spirit levels. In a typical day, Bricklayers may lay several hundred bricks need to follow detailed plans and drawings showing how a building is to be constructed. The usual working week for a bricklayer consists of 39 hours, Monday to Friday. This can include working overtime at weekends or in the evening is common. Those who are self-employed often work longer hours.
Bricklayers usually work on building sites, in all weathers, as well as in noisy, dusty, dirty or wet areas. A lot of building work takes place at high levels therefore you have to wear safety helmets and boots and may wear gloves, goggles or ear defenders.
The bricklayer's daily workload consists of:
Clean work area and ensure that any debris or hazardous material is cleared away
Measure work area and calculate how many bricks will be needed for the first row
Ensure that there is enough material available to put in layers of bricks
Make sure that sufficient bricks are available at all times and order more bricks for subsequent workdays
Mix cement using hands or mixing tools depending on the amount of cement
Ensure that bricks are laid symmetrically and that cement is appropriately applied to hold them together
Manage excess cement to lessen wastage
Shape and trim bricks to make sure that they fit in properly in places such as corners
Use a variety of power and hand tools such as hammers and trowels
Use pointing tools to apply finishing touches
Determine if bricks need to be laid vertically or horizontally
Weld metal parts and apply plaster on walls as instructed in the work order. Study plans for the building before starting on a bricklaying project
Layout patterns and foundations according to the instructions on work orders
Polish new surfaces using a variety of materials and tools
Make a list of needed materials and tools for the next work day and ensure that stock inventory is sufficient
