Bricklayers work on commercial and residential projects where they lay bricks, block stone, glass block or terra cotta to build interior and exterior walls, partitions, fireplaces, chimneys, smokestacks and other structures.

Bricklayers who work on construction projects may work on a project-to-project basis with some down time. Some Brick & Stone Masons work as employees of contractors, or are self-employed as independent contractors and are often members of a construction union.

 

Bricklayers must be detail-oriented and have good problem solving skills as they work to exact specification with trowels, spirit levels and mason's lines. Mathematical ability and a keen consistent eye for alignment are assets because bricklaying relies on proportions and straight lines. Bricklayers must be creative and be able to read blueprints and apply other technical information.

Specialized Brick & Stone Masons could repair and restore heritage buildings and monuments. Some may specialize further in this trade and become qualified as a Refractory Mason.

 

Industry Changes

New building products and techniques are continually being developed for the construction trades. The use of exterior studs has also made work less labor intensive. The introduction of lasers to the trade, including laser alignment systems has increased the efficiency and accuracy of layout lines. These new materials and techniques have given businesses more quality control of workmanship. Building codes have also been updated to reflect these improvements in products and techniques.

Over the next ten years, the employment outlook is considered to be excellent. The lack of trained and qualified Bricklayers and the expected increased retirement rate in this trade over the next decade highlight the opportunities within the industry for good potential jobs.

Employment of Bricklayers is expected to increase. Turnover in this field is high, so many openings occur each year. Demand should also be high for those who stay informed about new developments in this field.

 

Safety

Safe working practices and accident prevention are the primary importance to the health and safety of all person(s) at any or all work place environments. All person(s) including employee, employer and government, share this responsibility in order to keep everyone free of any dangers or accidents that may cause an individual(s) serious bodily harm or death.

The Occupational Health and Safety Acts and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) Regulations, should be consistently reviewed and enforced in every work place environment. Educating and understanding these regulations is everyone’s responsibility in order to keep a safe work place environment.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) has contributed to a safer work place environment. Health and safety has become a high priority in the workplace due to increased awareness of dangers and the identifications of hazardous materials.

Practicing health and safety is a tremendous contribution to a safe and accident free work place environment.

 

Job Tasks

• Assembling Scaffolds

• Builds walls, partitions and other structures

• Knows the properties of various mortars and other bonding materials

• Lays bricks in position and removes any excess mortar

• Lines or relines furnaces, kilns, boilers and similar installations

• Measures accurately from an established starting point

• Read and interpret blueprints, drawings and schematics

• Sawing

• Spreads mortar over the base or previous layer

• Uses refractory or acid-resistant bricks, concretes, plastics or other materials

• Uses hammers or chisels or masonry saws to cut and fit bricks

• Uses plumb lines and a mason's level, as required 

• Works with various materials & methods to solve specific problems 

• Works by hand or with hand and power tools

• Works well independently or with co-workers under close deadlines

• …and much more

 

Tools

• Brick Bat Gauge

• Brick Hammer

• Brick Trowel

• Boat Level

• Bolster

• Chisels

• Clamps

• Club or Lump Hammer

• Cold Chisel

• Comb Hammer

• Corner Blocks

• Gauge Rod

• Hawk

• Jointing Tools

• Line and Pins

• Hammer, ball peen

• Hammer, dead blow

• Hammer Drill

• Hand protection

• Hearing protectors

• Masonry Drill Bits

• Pointing Trowel

• Safety equipment (goggles, boots, face shield etc)

• Spirit Level

• Steel Tape

• Tingle Plate

• …and much more

 

Skills

• Blue Print Reading

• Critical Thinking

• Decision Making

• Finding Information

• Numerical

• Oral Communication

• Problem Solving

• Reading Blueprints and schematics

• Writing

• Working with others

• Computer Knowledge

 

General Wages

• Average   -   $23.00/hr

• Minimum - $18.00/hr

• Maximum - $29.00/hr

 

Sample Q&A

 

1. When installing corners for formwork what procedure is used?

a. Plumb in one direction only and brace because the form will be pulled to plumb in the other direction when straightening walls.

b. Plumb in both directions and brace them immediately.

c. Get close to plumb in both directions and then fine tune them after all wall forms are set.

d. Do not be concerned with plumbing of corners until entire wall forms are set.

Ans. B

 

2. What is the first procedure when installing a steel door frame in a masonry wall?

a. Level the head jamb.

b. Plumb the jamb on the hinge side.

c. Insert the masonry anchors.

d. Fasten the jamb to the floor.

Ans. A

 

3. Which adjustment must be made when the column, beam and slab are poured at the same time?

a. Raise the column form height to support the slab form.

b. Re-level the beam.

c. Cut the column form height to allow for the beam form.

d. Reinforce the column form.

Ans. C

 

4. How are the inside of the ties held together when constructing a matt footing, the outside forms are built with the loose forming method of snap ties, wedges, studs, and double walers.?

a. Snap ties with a special attachment clip that connects to the reinforcing steel.

b. Snap ties and wedges at the bottom and spandrel ties at the top.

c. Snap ties welded to the reinforcing steel.

d. Snap ties, wedges, studs, and double walers.

Ans. C

 

5. What mathematical processes must occur so that slab is poured at correct height when setting up shoring for a suspended slab?

a. Height of shore plus depth of joist plus thickness of formply plus thickness of slab equals top of pour.

b. Height of shore plus depth of stringer plus depth of joist plus thickness of formply plus thickness of slab equals top of pour.

c. Height of shore plus depth of joist plus thickness of formply equals bottom of pour

d. Height of shore plus depth of stringer plus depth of joist plus thickness of formply equals top of pour.

Ans. B

 

6. What is the procedure to mixing a muriatic acid solution for cleaning brick?

a. Mix the soapy water solution into the acid.

b. Mix the acid into the soapy water solution.

c. Mix the acid into the water.

d. Mix the water into the acid.

Ans. C

 

7. On a retaining wall, which of the following is performed to prevent concrete blocks from shifting?
a. lay the first course in the footing concrete whiles its till fresh
b. pour grout into the first course
c. install vertical dowels and grout at spaced intervals in the footing
d. horizontally reinforce the first course
Ans. C