Did you know that the shortage of skilled workers and an increase in labour and materials will continue to push up the cost of construction in Australia?

The cost of masonry materials and tools are not that cheap. However, if you want a building to last and be strong-standing, you need to ensure you get the right equipment and tools for the job.

If you are new to masonry, then keep reading to discover the must-have masonry tools that you need.

Masonry Materials

Masonry workers use specific materials such as bricks, stones, or concrete. Your project needs will determine what types of masonry material you will need.

If you are completing DIY projects, it is best to purchase the materials when you need them. Storing materials for a long time could lead to moisture damage. Moisture damage will leave your materials to harden and become useless, so save yourself some money by only buying in what you need.

Some essential materials you might need for your masonry project could include veneer mortar, cement, aggregate, mortar, grout, and rebar.

Veneer mortar is a specialised type of mortar that is enriched with polymers, this helps the veneer masonry units stick to vertical surfaces.

Cement can come in ready-mix bags which means all you have to do is add water to harden the mixture. Cement is great for setting fence posts and lying down flagstones in your garden.

Aggregate is a material made of sand or gravel, which helps to fill out and forms the bulk of concrete.

Mortar is a mixture that helps to stick together masonry units.

Grout is used to fill the seams between masonry units. It’s a mixture of cement and sand.

Rebar, or reinforcing bars, are steel bars that are added throughout masonry to increase a structures strength.

Masonry Tools and Their Uses

Not only do you need to consider what materials you will need for your project, but you also need to create a masonry tools list. This list will depend on what kind of project you are doing, for example, you will need brick masonry tools for building a house.

Below are some of the essential masonry tools that most projects will require.

Trowels

There are many different types of trowels that you might use as a masonry worker. For instance, there are:

• ordinary trowels
• pointing trowels
• brick trowels
• buttering trowels
• edgers
• and margin trowels.

It is very important to use the right one for your project, otherwise, you may not get the desired outcome.

Margin trowels are typically used with narrow masonry units, for example, manufactured stone veneer. This is so that the masonry worker doesn’t spill excess mortar over the sides of the veneer units.

However, margin trowels are probably the most universal trowel you can get. So, if you aren’t sure what type of trowel to choose, try a margin trowel.

Drill Bits

Drill bits are used to drill through concrete. They can also be used to drill through brick and stone. If you need a drill bit that is very strong, then you need to get one with a tungsten carbide tip.

Choosing the right masonry drill bits for your project can be confusing and time-consuming, so save yourself some time by learning how to choose the right one for your project.

Cold Chisel

Your project will probably need a cold chisel. This is a type of chisel has a wide and flat head that can help you slice bricks or veneer stone in half with a blow of a hammer.

You can also use a cold chisel to chip away excess mortar. A cold chisel is also useful to remove a single brick from a brick wall. Most cold chisels have a plastic handle, which helps to absorb the shock from the hammer blow.

Brick Hammer

Masonry workers need to have a brick hammer. This specific type of hammer is essential for the work you will be doing. You can’t use a normal hammer, because it might break and will leave your masonry work looking shoddy.

A brick hammer has a blunt side, which makes it great for chopping stones or bricks in half with one quick blow. On the other side of the brick hammer, there is a smaller tool that can be used to score lines for more precise breaks.

Wire Brush

An essential thing that masonry workers need is a wire brush. This is used to brush away rock chips or concrete crumbs that you need to clean up. You can’t simply use a normal sweeping brush to clean up, because they aren’t strong enough to get rid of stubborn concrete crumbs.

The only way you can remove all the debris from a crack that you’ve opened in the concrete is by using a stiff wire brush and a shop vacuum.

Safety Equipment

And finally, before starting any projects or masonry work, you need to ensure that you have the correct safety equipment. For example, some projects may require you to wear a helmet and goggles.

If you are working with materials that might chip or breakaway, be sure to protect your eyes and your body from the debris.

Get the Right Masonry Tools

Having the right masonry tools can significantly improve your projects and save you a lot of time and money. Remember to buy the right materials and tools before you start your project.

If you are looking for new masonry tools, or want to repair your existing tools, then get in touch with our friendly team today.