In the modern construction world, there is an emphasis on sustainable construction techniques that ensure that buildings don't have a negative effect on the environment. This means that engineers and builders alike are always looking for natural materials that do not require significant modification for them to serve their purpose in the construction project. A good example of such materials is brick. After extracting and shaping the clay needed to make them, they are heated to strengthen them, after which they are ready for use in the site. The following are some of the commonly asked questions on brick masonry to help you gain insight:    

What Makes Brick a Sustainable Construction Material?

Brick is one the few construction materials that are friendly to the environment. Basically, bricks are made from shale and clay. These materials are naturally available in abundance, unlike other minerals that have to be exploited from the deep layers of the soil. Secondly, you can recycle bricks and use them on multiple construction projects, provided they have not been damaged and are still strong enough to support another structure. Lastly, bricks are baked in kilns that rely on natural gas and bio-based fuels, none of which affect the environment negatively.

What Are Some of the Clever Ways of Using Recycled Bricks?

As mentioned earlier, one of the top benefits of using brick masonry is the fact that you can recycle the bricks for multiple projects. Bricks in good condition can be used for heavy-duty purposes such as the construction of walls and other structures that require high tensile strength. However, bricks that might have lost a bit of shape or that have dented edges can be used for other, less-formal jobs. You can use them to put up brick edges along flowerbeds in the garden to regulate the flow of run-off water in the garden. Moreover, you can also create holes in them so that you can use them as planters and outdoor candleholders.

How Do You Clean Used Bricks?

If you want to re-use your old bricks, you will need to prepare them for their new job. Soak the harvested bricks in a bucket or large trough full of water. Let them stay put for about half an hour. Thereafter, remove them one after the other and use a chisel to remove the old mortar. Remember to soak more bricks in the water while cleaning the ones you removed from the bucket. For any residual mortar, scrub it off using a stiff wire brush.

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