Brick is an element in masonry construction that is used to make walls, pavements, and other elements. It is a rectangular block typically made of fired or sun-dried clay. Bricks are usually used to manufacture load-bearing walls. They are sharp with true right-angled corners and their surface are regular and even. For brick to be considered proper, it must have a uniform and bright appearance. The most common color for a brick is red. The color varies from dark red to light red. Very dark red colored bricks are said to be over burnt and if the bricks are of yellowish color, they are under burnt.
Bricks are usually used to manufacture load-bearing walls. An ideal brick must provide proper insulation against heat, cold, and noise. The heat and sound conductivity of a brick varies highly with its density and porosity. Bricks that are very dense and heavy conduct sound and heat at a greater rate. Bricks must be properly designed for them to be considered ideal and proper for construction purposes. They must be made in such a way that they are strong, light, and give adequate insulation. Bricks are a very durable and low-cost construction material. It also has high compressive strength and is also fire resistant. It can also resist weathering effects to an adequate level and is of low maintenance.
In the modern world, bricks are the most essential part of the construction industry. Even though burnt bricks are the most common types of bricks used, one can also make their own hand-made bricks using clay. Now, the question is, how to make handmade bricks? Clay bricks, also known as earth masonry, have been on the construction scene for thousands of years, and with the advancement of technology, the process of making such bricks has become easier than before. However, the main process for making clay bricks remain unchanged. The technique only requires a few tools, and items and can be made in any space. This is the reason why clay bricks are still used in making various structures even now. In this article, we will explore the process of how to make handmade bricks or clay bricks.
Finding the right type of soil
To make clay bricks, one must first find soil that is sticky enough when wet. This type of sticky soil is called clay soil and is used in making the required bricks.
Grinding
The second step is to grind the clay soil into a fine paste. Clay soil is usually at the right consistency, but the grinding procedure is important as it helps achieve the best quality of bricks. The grinding can be done by hand using large stones.
Molding
Once the clay is well-grounded, it must be mixed with water to make a thick paste. Previously, clay bricks were molded by hand or using tools made of wood, but today there are various molds available in the market that are used to make such bricks. The molding can be done using any method, but we must make sure to achieve bricks of the same size and shape.
Drying
After molding the bricks in shape, we must leave them all out in the sun for four to five days to dry properly so that the moisture from the bricks is completely removed. After that, we must stand them vertically to let them dry some more, an approximate time period of about four weeks is required for the bricks to dry before using them to avoid flaking. Sun-dried bricks can last more than thirty years but if one wants to increase their longevity, the bricks may also be fired in kilns.
Firing the bricks (optional)
The end products must be fired in a kiln which is an oven for bricks. It helps to heat up the bricks to a very high temperature which binds the clay very firmly with each other resulting in the creation of super-strong solid bricks.
Conclusion
Clay is one of the strongest and oldest building materials found in the construction industry. Not only it is fireproof and durable, but it is also non-toxic and biodegradable. It does not require any costly equipment to make and has excellent insulation properties. It is also water-resistant and the maintenance is cheap and easy. Making bricks using clay may sound easy, but make sure to check all the points required in the process properly, as one wrong step might make the bricks become loose and unusable. It’s better to get some expert advice before starting the process as it is a tricky one.
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