Block B – General masonry practices

Trends

There are new types of insulation and membranes such as spray-on. There are more environmentally-friendly types of sealers being used. There is increased awareness of containment practices. In some jurisdictions, the size of masonry units is getting larger for cost reduction.

Related Components

All components apply.

Tools and Equipment

See Appendix A.

Task 5 Performs substrate preparation.

Context

Substrate needs to be prepared to receive and support masonry. Membranes, flashing and insulation are installed to maintain a complete building envelope.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 types of anchoring/tie systems such as fastened-in-place and embedded
• K 2 anchoring/tie systems, adhesives and insulation application techniques
• K 3 substrate condition
• K 4 types of anchors such as drop-in, pin bolts, wedge, screws and self-tapping
• K 5 types of ties such as wire, adjustable and corrugated metal
• K 6 sequence of levelling, plumbing and aligning
• K 7 tools and equipment required
• K 8 types of flashings such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), rigid, self-adhesive and rubber
• K 9 location of flashings
• K 10 counter flashing and step flashing
• K 11 building envelope systems
• K 12 types of membranes such as torch-on, self-adhesive and trowelled
• K 13 effect of ultraviolet rays and moisture on membranes
• K 14 types of insulation such as ceramic fibre, vermiculite, extruded, fibreglass, spray-on, rock wool and mineral-refractory grade
• K 15 jurisdictional and national codes and specifications

Sub-task B-5.01 Prepares vertical substrates and foundations.

Key Competencies

• B-5.01.01 remove glues, old membranes and accessories to ensure smooth substrate
• B-5.01.02 replace deteriorated material such as broken block or brick and nails
• B-5.01.03 wash and dry substrate to improve product adhesion
• B-5.01.04 fill holes and cracks in substrate using mortar and other filler materials matching existing substrate
• B-5.01.05 fasten mesh to substrate using mechanical fasteners according to manufacturers’ specifications and building code
• B-5.01.06 prime substrate according to manufacturers’ specifications

Sub-task B-5.02 Applies parging.

Key Competencies

• B-5.02.01 dampen substrate to improve bonding
• B-5.02.02 apply bonding agents to substrate
• B-5.02.03 mix parging material according to application and manufacturers’ instructions
• B-5.02.04 trowel on parging material to substrate maintaining a uniform thickness according to specifications

Sub-task B-5.03 Installs anchoring/tie systems.

Key Competencies

• B-5.03.01 select type of system according to engineering specifications, codes and standards
• B-5.03.02 determine vertical and horizontal spacing of anchors and ties according to specifications, codes, coursing and layout
• B-5.03.03 attach or place anchors to substrate using tools and materials such as drills and fasteners
• B-5.03.04 attach ties to anchors

Sub-task B-5.04 Installs membrane and flashing.

Key Competencies

• B-5.04.01 select base flashing according to specifications, codes and standards
• B-5.04.02 attach base flashing and membrane
• B-5.04.03 seal seams and tears to membrane, and cuts and joints in flashing to avoid compromising the building envelope
• B-5.04.04 overlap below grade membranes to complete the building envelope

Sub-task B-5.05 Installs insulation.

Key Competencies

• B-5.05.01 select insulation according to specifications, codes and standards
• B-5.05.02 cut and fit insulation to fully insulate the wall and seal joints according to manufacturers’ specifications
• B-5.05.03 secure insulation to substrate and membrane ensuring as tight a fit as possible

Task 6 Performs fundamental masonry tasks.

Context

This task describes typical methods used in masonry construction.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 measuring and layout equipment and practices
• K 2 sequence of layout procedures
• K 3 drawings, specifications, codes and standards
• K 4 wall systems
• K 5 bonds and patterns
• K 6 types of joints such as concave, raked and flush
• K 7 when to finish joints
• K 8 environmental hazards
• K 9 types of cleaners such as acids, alkali-based, water and detergent
• K 10 sequence of cleaning procedures
• K 11 mixing sequence and mixing ratio for cleaning materials
• K 12 applications of waterproofing and dampproofing
• K 13 types of waterproofing and dampproofing materials such as silicone-based, solvent-based and alkaline-based

Sub-task B-6.01 Lays out wall and coursing.

Key Competencies

• B-6.01.01 determine wall location and floor grade
• B-6.01.02 perform layout using techniques such as snapping chalk lines, laying out units dry, and measuring with a tape
• B-6.01.03 mark off location of units to guide placement
• B-6.01.04 adjust bond to suit openings such as windows, doors and accessories

Sub-task B-6.02 Finishes joints.

Key Competencies

• B-6.02.01 select type of joint finishes such as concave, convex, flush, raked, weather and extruded according to specifications
• B-6.02.02 assess by touch mortar readiness for finishing (thumbprint method)
• B-6.02.03 tool joints in order to achieve uniformity and straightness, and to avoid damage to masonry units
• B-6.02.04 fill voids in joints
• B-6.02.05 remove excess mortar and retool joint to achieve finished look

Sub-task B-6.03 Cleans new masonry surfaces.

Key Competencies

• B-6.03.01 rub down wall using like material to remove excess mortar
• B-6.03.02 match cleaning material to masonry surface to be cleaned according to manufacturers’ specifications
• B-6.03.03 prepare cleaning material by mixing to required proportions
• B-6.03.04 pre-soak, brush and scrub surfaces
• B-6.03.05 clean using pressure washer according to manufacturers’ specifications
• B-6.03.06 rinse surface
• B-6.03.07 check surface to ensure uniform cleanliness

Sub-task B-6.04 Seals masonry surfaces.

Key Competencies

• B-6.04.01 select sealant according to existing masonry and locations such as above grade and below grade
• B-6.04.02 verify that the surface is clean and dry in order to ensure sealant adhesion and prevent trapping visible stains
• B-6.04.03 apply sealant using methods such as brushing, spraying and rolling according to manufacturers’ specifications

Task 7 Uses mortars, grouts and adhesives.

Context

Mortars, grouts and adhesives hold and structurally support masonry units and accessories. Concrete and grouts are materials containing cementitious materials, aggregate and water, and are used to secure reinforcing within block walls. Mortars, grouts and adhesives are used in every aspect of masonry. Bricklayers must be able to safely handle, prepare and apply these products.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 types of mortars such as M, S, N, O and K, and their properties
• K 2 admixtures such as accelerators, retardants, dyes and waterproofing components
• K 3 codes and regulations
• K 4 mixing equipment and procedures
• K 5 testing such as strength tests, slump tests and bond tests
• K 6 types of concrete or grout and their properties
• K 7 reinforcing materials such as fibre and rebar
• K 8 grout consistency required to fill masonry cavities
• K 9 grouting methods and procedures
• K 10 types and uses of adhesives such as polymers, epoxies, resins, caulking and latex
• K 11 shelf and pot life of adhesives and mortars
• K 12 reinforcement requirements when pouring concrete and grout

Sub-task B-7.01 Mixes mortar, concrete, grout and adhesives.

Key Competencies

• B-7.01.01 select mortar, concrete, grout and adhesive according to job specification
• B-7.01.02 verify that water supply is clean and potable to avoid contamination of mixture
• B-7.01.03 adjust mixing conditions such as heating sand and water according to code requirements
• B-7.01.04 measure components according to ratio and proportions required by specifications
• B-7.01.05 add admixture to achieve required properties
• B-7.01.06 add aggregate such as sand and gravel
• B-7.01.07 use mixing equipment such as barrel mixer, shovel and paddle mixer
• B-7.01.08 time mixing according to specifications
• B-7.01.09 visually assess readiness of product for consistency and moisture content

Sub-task B-7.02 Uses mortars.

Key Competencies

• B-7.02.01 apply mortar using methods such as buttering and spreading
• B-7.02.02 assess mortar condition and usability, and adjust consistency for particular use

Sub-task B-7.03 Uses concrete and grout.

Key Competencies

• B-7.03.01 assess wall prior to filling
• B-7.03.02 prime holes according to size of block and jurisdictional regulations
• B-7.03.03 place grout and concrete using processes such as high-lift and low-lift grouting
• B-7.03.04 place grout and concrete using equipment such as buckets, hoppers and pumps
• B-7.03.05 consolidate grout to fill voids

Sub-task B-7.04 Uses adhesives.

Key Competencies

• B-7.04.01 select adhesives such as two-part epoxies and primers
• B-7.04.02 prepare surface to receive adhesives
• B-7.04.03 apply adhesives using methods such as trowelled, brushed on, injected and caulked