Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 222 Section 4 Techniques spread and furrowed with the point or toe of the masonry trowel, Figure 12-7. Furrowing helps to form a uniform bed to lay the masonry on. When mortar is laid down, it should be slightly heavier on the outside (face) edge than on the inside in order to force out enough mortar to the edge and up into the next cross joint when the follow- ing brick is laid. A cross joint is another name for the brick head joint in courses being laid. Mortar is placed on the leading end of the brick, and then set on top of the bed of mortar. After being positioned, the brick is pushed against the previously laid brick to create the head joint, or cross joint. At this point, the mason looks at the spacing of the head joint and bed joint to ensure that they are correct in width. Adjustments are made accordingly. Mortar hanging over the sides should be cut off using the front half of the trowel and returned to the mortar board or applied to the next brick to be laid. Mortar Consistency Mortar on the board should be kept well tempered (sprinkled lightly) with water until it is used. Avoid constant working of the mortar, which causes it to dry out and become stiff. Stiff mortar does not spread well. Use the mortar before it begins to set up. Mortar that is not used within 2 1/2 hours should be discarded. 12.1.3 Holding a Brick Bricks should be held correctly when applying mortar and laying the brick on the mortar bed. The thumb should curl down over the top edge of the brick and be slightly away from the brick face. The fingers should be extended outward. It is important not to touch the line when laying units to a mason’s line. The hand position described allows the line to fit between the thumb and the top edge of the brick. When laying a veneer facing, this position allows the line to fit between the fingers and top edge of the brick. See Figure 12-8. This hand position also does not interfere with cutting off excess mortar. Safety Note Contact with wet (plastic) concrete, cement, mortar, grout, or cement mixtures can cause skin irritation, severe chemical burns, or serious eye damage. Wear waterproof gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, full-length trousers, and eye protection when working with these materials. If you must stand in wet concrete, wear high- top waterproof boots. Wash wet concrete, mortar, grout, cement, or cement mixtures from your skin immediately. Flush eyes with clear water immediately upon contact. Seek medical attention if you experience a reaction to contact with these materials. Author’s images taken at Job Corps, Denison, IA Figure 12-6. Steps in emptying a trowel. A—The trowel shows a portion of the mortar already unloaded off the edge. B—The mason has completely emptied his trowel to create a mortar bed very close to the snapped chalk line on the concrete. A B Author’s image taken at Job Corps, Denison, IA Figure 12-7. Furrowing the first course to form a uniform bed.