SOLAS Bricklaying key terms

A single horizontal layer of bricks or blocks in a wall. Courses are stacked one above another, and their height and alignment control the wall's strength and appearance.

The horizontal layer of mortar on which a brick or block is laid. It bonds each unit to the course below and spreads load across the wall.

The vertical mortar joint between two bricks or blocks in the same course. Its thickness and fullness affect weather resistance and bond strength.

Any vertical joint running across the thickness of a wall, including perpends and the joints at wall intersections. Well-filled cross joints prevent water penetration.

A brick laid flat with its long face parallel to the wall face. Stretchers are the most common unit orientation and give the wall its running surface pattern.

A brick laid so its short end faces the wall surface, tying the two leaves of a wall together. Headers appear as small square faces in the finished brickwork.

A brick cut to half its normal length, used to close a bond or finish a course. Cutting must be accurate so joints stay uniform.

The arrangement of bricks or blocks in a wall so that vertical joints do not line up from course to course. Bonding spreads load and prevents continuous cracks.

A bond in which every brick is laid as a stretcher, with joints offset by half a brick each course. It suits single-leaf walls such as cavity leaves and partitions.

A bond made of alternating courses of headers and stretchers. It is strong and traditional for thick load-bearing walls, though it uses many facing headers.

A bond in which each course alternates stretchers and headers. It gives an attractive face pattern and ties wall leaves together without full header courses.

The vertical spacing between successive bed joints, usually set by a gauge rod or line. Consistent gauge keeps courses level and the wall height predictable.

The corner brickwork of a wall, formed with specially chosen or cut bricks to give a neat, strong edge. Quoins are often built first to guide the rest of the wall.

Stepping the end of a part-built wall back in stages so it can be joined later without a straight vertical joint. Each course is set back by about half a brick.

A short section of brickwork built up at the end of a wall to provide a firm stop and a true vertical edge for the line. Also called a toe.

A taut string stretched between pins or blocks along a course to guide the level and straightness of brickwork. The line is raised as each course is completed.

A straight edge with a spirit level or plumb line used to check that a wall face or corner is truly vertical. It is applied to quoins and to the wall face as work rises.

A tool, usually a spirit level, used to check that courses are horizontal and surfaces are flat. Accurate levelling prevents a wall leaning or twisting.

The measured combination of sand, binder such as cement or lime, and water used to bed and bond units. The mix ratio controls strength, workability and durability.

A recessed indentation on one bed face of a brick, formed during manufacture. When laid frog up it holds mortar and improves the bond of the bed joint.

A wall built as two leaves separated by a gap, usually with wall ties and insulation. The cavity stops water from crossing to the inner leaf.

A metal connector built into the bed joints to link the two leaves of a cavity wall. Ties must be correctly spaced and sloped so any water drains inward.

A small open joint left in the outer leaf above a damp-proof course or flashing to let trapped water drain out. Weep holes are kept clear of mortar.

A continuous water-resistant layer built into a wall near ground level to stop moisture rising by capillary action. It must be lapped and not bridged by mortar.

A strip of waterproof material built into brickwork at junctions such as roofs, parapets and openings to direct water away. It is lapped into the wall and over the cavity.

A horizontal beam of steel, concrete or timber spanning an opening to carry the brickwork above. It must have adequate bearing at each end of the opening.

A curved structural arrangement of bricks or blocks that carries load over an opening by transferring it to the supports at each side. Bricks are laid radially with wedge-shaped joints.

A course of bricks laid on end, with the long faces vertical, often used above an opening or as a decorative band. It can act as a flat arch when properly supported.

A projecting horizontal band of brickwork running across a wall face, used for decoration or to throw rainwater clear. It is often built with bricks laid on edge or as headers.

A white powdery deposit of soluble salts that appears on the surface of brickwork as moisture evaporates. It is usually temporary and is brushed off when dry.

The ability of bricks, blocks and mortar to withstand repeated freezing and thawing while saturated without cracking or spalling. It is a key durability property for external walls.

Finishing the exposed face of mortar joints after the bricks are laid, using a tool to compact and shape the mortar. Good pointing seals joints and improves weather resistance.

A joint finished level with the face of the brickwork, with no recess or projection. It is quick to form but sheds water less effectively than a recessed joint.

A recessed joint shaped with the mortar sloping outward at the bottom so water runs off the face. Also called a weather-struck joint.

A mason's hammer with a square face and a chisel edge, used for breaking and trimming bricks. The chisel edge is used to cut a clean line around the brick before striking.

A wide chisel with a broad blade used with a club hammer to cut bricks cleanly across their width. It produces a straighter cut than a hammer alone.

The mason's main hand tool, with a flat steel blade and a handle, used to pick up, spread and trim mortar. Blade shape and balance affect how evenly mortar is laid.

A heavy short-handled hammer used to drive a bolster when cutting bricks or blocks. Its weight delivers a controlled blow without excessive rebound.