Building with bricks is a great idea, whether you are creating homes, commercial buildings, boundary walls, or block paving. However, it may not be a simple case of laying all of them straight away. First you may need to cut some of them to size to suit your needs. Below we have some useful advice about this. It is an area where we have a lot of experience because we are one of the top bricklayers Leeds has.
Cutting by hand
The first option for cutting bricks is to do it by hand with a hammer and chisels. This is a simple method but means you don’t need any additional power tools. So, if you only need to cut a few bricks, it could be the easiest option.
What you need to do here is begin by marking the brick where you need to cut it. The lines need to be accurate on all four faces to ensure the cut will be even. Once you have the lining you can score along it with a cold chisel. This will create a groove. You must be careful not to use too much force here. You also need to ensure you place the brick on a solid, flat surface before you start.
When you have the groove you need to switch to a brick set chisel. You need to place this in the groove and tilt it a little away from you. Then it should be a simple case of hammering it to split the brick. If it does not work you may need to cut your grooves slightly deeper. Once split you can use the same chisel to remove uneven and excess pieces of brick until you have a smooth face.
Cutting with a saw
A second option is to use a circular saw with a diamond masonry blade. This can be a faster way to cut brick and may be the best option if you have a lot of cutting to do.
The first step here is also to mark the brick where you need to cut it. However you may only need to actually draw the lines on the top and bottom since you won’t be cutting the sides. Next you need to place the brick on a flat, solid surface. You may need to use a mat to prevent it from slipping.
You should set your saw so it can cut to a depth of half an inch. Then you can cut a straight line along the top of the brick, following your marking. When you finish you need to do the same on the bottom. Now that you have the score lines you can place the brick on a step and strike the unwanted end with a hammer. This should split it cleanly.
Working with expert bricklayers in Leeds
At Best Brickwork we have the skills to handle all kinds of projects. We provide the same high standards of workmanship on large and small jobs. As a result, we have a reputation as a team to trust.
So, if you would like to work with the top bricklayers Leeds has, contact us today. You can give us the details of your project if you need advice or a quote.