DIY Network

Outdoor Planting Shed: Working With Adobe DIY's dynamic duo of stonemasonry show how to create and work with adobe bricks. From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-213

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Using Brick Molds

The area where you will pour the bricks should be level. Place a weed mat underneath the brick molds (figure I), and then set up the molds next to each other. For this project a variety of "O", "U", half and standard shaped bricks should be made (figure J). This variety of molds allows reinforcing in seismic areas and the cores can also be used to house all electrical, plumbing and any other services within a larger adobe structure.

Figure I

Figure J

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Pour the adobe mix from your wheelbarrow into the molds, using a shovel or concrete rake to spread it (figure K). In order to get rid of air pockets, work the concrete rake back and forth in each mold. When you are done, use the flat edge to level off the top (figure L).

Figure K

Figure L

Figure M

Once the mold has been properly packed and leveled, lift the mold off slowly. Leapfrog the mold to the end of the line of bricks (figure M) and continue working until you have created all of the bricks necessary for this project.

Let the adobe bricks set up overnight, and once they are dry enough to be moved, set them in a secure adobe stack, covered with plastic, to cure for at least 28 days. Properly cured bricks in warm and moist conditions will achieve their full strength.

Once they are dry, the bricks will be lighter in color, firm, and give a slight hollow sound when tapped. Fortunately for this project, Lisa created the bricks ahead of time.

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