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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

(Continued from page 2)

Figure M

Setting Adobe Bricks

You have a couple of options for ensuring that the adobe wall is level and square. Keep in mind that, unlike ordinary commercially made bricks, these adobe bricks are slightly irregular in shape, so extra effort should be made to make sure that they're level.

Dean and Derek mark their leads (the height of ever 5 1/2 inch course) at their first corner (figure M), start setting from that first, work from corner to corner (leveling frequently with a wood 2x4 and a six foot level), and then build up the wall in between.

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They mark the leads at the first corner on an existing beam. If you don't a beam, simply sink a 2x4 into the ground and use it for your leads. Another option is to mark your leads at every corner (on wood 2x4s or stakes) and use leads and string-lines as your building line.

Rock Solid Tip: Organize your materials in your area before you set your bricks.

	Figure N
	Figure O

Once your area is organized and a footing is dry and prepped, mix up adobe mortar. The mortar is created from the same adobe mixture used for the bricks, but mixed slightly soupier. Once the mortar is thoroughly mixed, you can add a tablespoon of high quality dishwashing liquid to the mix (figure N). This will help the mortar aerate giving it a longer working time. Let that mix for about two minutes and then the mortar is ready to use.

To set the first course, place adobe mortar in two thick strips about 2-1/2 inches thick on the concrete footing. Gently set the brick on top and sling and wiggle it into place until you feel that it's set. Butter the sides of the brick for the vertical join with about two handfuls of mud, and place the next brick (figure O).

	Figure P
	Figure Q
	Figure R

Building up the Wall

Once you've set the first brick, build up the first corner to a height of about three courses (figure P).

Build up the second corner to the same height (figure Q) and then use a 2x4 and six foot level to make sure both corners are the same height before completing the rows in between the walls (figure R).

Make sure you use your level occasionally to check the heights throughout the setting process. Once again, take care in staying level when using this method. The use of leads and string-lines is helpful for larger projects.

Tips for a Great Adobe Wall

• Place your bricks down gently and wiggle them in place. This ensures the mortar is evenly dispersed and bonded to the brick.
  
  
• Any excess mortar that oozes out of the sides, strike off and reuse.

• The adobe courses should be set in a running bond pattern – this means that each row or course breaks the joints of the row set before it. The running bond pattern can be initiated at the head of each row by alternating the half-size bricks with the full-size.

• If you find yourself getting off of level, just add or subtract adobe mortar in the rows until you get the height you need – this material is very forgiving to work with. The mortar mixture can also be used to make up for any imperfections in the bricks, repair broken pieces, or fill gaps.

• You might want to work with rubber gloves. The concrete in the adobe mixture could irritate your hands.

• As you set your bricks, you will use a mixture of the "O", "U" and standard size bricks. The "O" and "U" bricks are particularly helpful when you come to sections of the wall that have the rebar.
  

  	Figure S
  	Figure T
  	Figure U
  	Figure V

• If your bricks did not achieve uniform strength during the curing process, you can disperse the weaker bricks throughout the wall. The curing process is very important to achieve ultimate brick strength. Bricks that cure slowly under moist and warm conditions will be stronger than bricks that cure too rapidly.

As you build the wall, you'll generally want to lay one course at a time and always remember to check for level (figures S and T).

As mentioned, you can use more or less mortar where needed to bring the course heights up to level. The mortar joints are generally 3/4 " but they can be brought down to 1/2" or up to 1-1/2" where necessary. This process is simple and forgiving for the first-time bricklayer.

Finishing the Adobe Wall

Once your wall is up to the desired height, go back and fill in any major gaps with your mortar mixture (figure U). The last step is to give the wall a finished look.

There are many options for finishing adobe. You can plaster the wall with a slightly wetter and smoother adobe mixture, you can paint the wall with a very soupy adobe mixture, or you can just smooth the surface with your hands and water. Dean, Derek, and Lisa decide on the latter.

The hand-bagged finish really shows off the character of the wall (figure V). Once smoothed and dry, your adobe wall is complete.

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GUESTS :

Lisa Morey
Adobe Building Consultants®
Website: www.adobebuilding.com
Adobe Building Consultants offers pre-made plastic adobe molds and plans to make your own steel molds.