Old timer told me I was buttering bricks wrong, 15 years and I changed overnight

I been laying brick for 15 years. Always buttered the head joints with the trowel flat. Old guy named Ray at a job site in Austin told me I was doing it backwards. He showed me to hold the trowel at an angle and flick the mortar in. Felt weird at first. But my joints filled way better. No more picking out loose mortar the next day. Anyone else get a tip that made you re-learn the basics?

3 comments

3 Comments

kelly_craig28d ago

Wait, you held the trowel flat the whole time? I always thought flicking it in was just for old school guys who didn't know any better, but seeing your results makes me want to give it a shot. Did it take you a few days to get the hang of the angle?

diana_black28d ago

Had a buddy try this on his patio last summer. Took him about three afternoons of cussing before it clicked.

oscarc5328d ago

@diana_black was that the brick pattern one or the standard laying technique?