I finally pulled a 90-degree corner on my first try today

Been laying brick for about 8 months now and I always dreaded corners. But today I set up my line and got that first brick dead square on the first go. My foreman just nodded and said "not bad" which is basically a gold star from him. Found out from a older guy on site that the trick is wetting the brick a little so the mortar sticks better. Anyone else have a random tip that made corners click for them?

2 comments

2 Comments

jasonc502d ago

From a older guy on site" is where it's at. Those old heads have forgotten more than most of us will ever know. That wet brick trick is legit, keeps the mortar from drying out too fast and losing its grip. I've been laying block for years and corners still make me sweat a little, so that first perfect 90 is a huge win. Foreman giving a "not bad" is basically him throwing you a parade, those guys never hand out compliments. Good for you man, that feeling when the level confirms it's square is the best. Keep that older guy close, they're worth their weight in gold on a jobsite.

elizabetha922d ago

That wet brick trick is the kind of thing you'd think would be common sense but somehow nobody tells you until you've already messed up three corners. My first few 90s looked more like rounded edges from all the mortar I had to scrape off and redo. Sounds like you've officially graduated from "the new guy" to "the guy who can handle a corner.