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Reclaimed-Brick Front Landing From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-309

(Continued from page 2)

Figure I

Cutting Bricks On A Curve

When you get to the curve of the steps, you'll have to cut the bricks on an angle so they fit nicely around the curve of the tread. Dry set the brick that you need to cut, maintaining the quarter inch overhang. Measure the space in between the bricks at the widest point (figure I). Mark that measurement at the opposite end of the brick, and draw a line connecting the mark to the corner. You will create a triangular wedge. This is the piece that needs to be cut off. Cut the bricks using a wet saw, and set them in place with mortar as with the others.

Figure J

Setting the Platform

• Once the tread is set along the top step, you are ready to set the bricks on the platform (figure J). Dean and Derek design the platform in a running bond pattern in the center.

• Dry lay the bricks first to space them out and make sure the pattern measures out properly. Dean and Derek start the running bond pattern on the left side against the wall of the house, alternating full and half sized bricks.

• Cut several half sized bricks to set along the wall. To make a half brick, snap a full sized brick in the center with a stone hammer. Used bricks are soft so they should break easily. Alternate the half sized bricks with full sized bricks, keeping a half inch joint between the bricks.
  

  	Figure K
  	Figure L

• Then set the main pattern of the platform from right to left in a running bond pattern. A running bond pattern has continuous joints in one direction (figure K). Check that the bricks are level left to right, and pitch slightly away from the house.

• To ensure that you keep your bricks and joints running in a straight line, draw a guideline on the platform (figure L). To determine the guideline, measure out a certain distance from the wall of the house. Here, Derek marks a line 14 inches from the face of the house (which equals three rows). Set the bricks using this line to keep your rows straight. In Segment Three, we will cover what to do when you reach the curve.

• At the threshold Dean and Derek find that the running bond pattern will create a very wide joint. So they decide to turn the bricks and make a sailor course pattern (like the treads) up against the doorway. Not only is the sailor course a nice design feature, it also maintains the half inch joints. The bricks for the sailor course need to be 5.5 inches long, so measure and cut them with the wet saw. Then set them with mortar, keeping a half inch joint.

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