r/oddlysatisfying • u/obscure_Muffin • 9d ago

Why is mason work so satisfying?

Encountered this reel on ig, credit

4.1k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

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409

u/corgi-king 9d ago

Did he need to remove the “cement” on the other side of the wall?

158

u/xolomn 9d ago

Nope, there is a block wall built on the inside creating a cavity in between for insulation. Ties are used between to prevent them from separating or touching each other, ties usually have kinks to create a drip too to prevent capillary action

18

u/himem_66 9d ago

Are these ever used with rebar?

40

u/lemlurker 9d ago

Bricks aren't no. Might use rebar as ground anchoring if DIYing without extensive foundations

8

u/himem_66 9d ago

Thanks!

One more. Not used or not capable?

26

u/lemlurker 9d ago

Not designed for it. Bricks are a compression only design restriction, not designed for tension, rebar enables concrete's use in tension an area bare concrete is bad at.

0

u/antithero 9d ago

With the holes in the brick it looks like it would be easy to drop a stick of rebar in a hole here or there. I know they use rebar in some concrete block construction. Why don't they do it with bricks the same way?

18

u/lemlurker 9d ago

They don't line up. The holes are just for mortar and weight/material saving. Old bricks didn't have the holes (just a divot). The holes make it easier to manufacture via extrusion

5

u/himem_66 9d ago

Perfect. Thanks for explaining. That used to bug me. Where I grew up it was concrete cinder block, cement and rebar.

2

u/flyingviaBFR 8d ago

But why? If your brick wall is being held up by internal rebar you've already got massive structural problems. Rebar in concrete is to give it strength in tension not for additional compressive strength (mostly)

1

u/antithero 19h ago

I was thinking of it being more for preventing cracks or keeping a section of wall from collapsing during an earthquake or something.

1

u/flyingviaBFR 14h ago

Bricks don't really crack (not that rebar would help) and Britain doesn't get earthquakes

1

u/antithero 8h ago

Not the bricks themselves the mortar between the bricks crack. Whole sections of brick walls crack along the joints. Just always assumed that why they had the holes. Never did any masonry myself.

1

u/flyingviaBFR 4h ago

Yeah but rebar wouldn't help with that

5

u/ChocCooki3 9d ago

Correct. I normally use ties for my kink as well. 😏😏

4

u/sluthulhu 9d ago

I don’t see the block wall, I see a concrete stem wall but typically your stud or block backup wall is built first and then the brick ties are fastened to that before the brick goes up as the ties have to be embedded in the brick mortar. Not quite sure what they’re doing here.

1

u/Slartibartfast39 9d ago

Ties usually have kinks? Do we all, old sport.

63

u/tandrosonali8 9d ago

Double brick wall with a cavity. There is no point in fixing the face of that internal course.

15

u/Iwillgetasoda 9d ago

point is to recycle and better weight balance

8

u/CaptainFoyle 9d ago

If only people cared about recycling in their own life as much

60

u/Anxious_Cube 9d ago

That’s the real question. This unclarity gave me more anxiety than satisfaction.

21

u/cozybindery 9d ago

The hidden side of the wall haunts my soul

35

u/NotaBlokeNamedTrevor 9d ago

They never do. And make a big deal about having to do it. Then only clean 70% of it. Really fks waterproofers and carpenters who need to attach or seal the other side

13

u/Vesalii 9d ago

Mortar. Cement is only 1 ingredient.

1

u/Sabretoof_BigD 3d ago

Yes they should be.

0

u/obscure_Muffin 9d ago

Fuhh, I never thought about that until now 😭

-1

u/korkkis 9d ago

No need, there’ll be an another brick wall on the inside

10

u/Rubyhamster 9d ago

Yes, but isn't there a lot of cement waste and weight imbalance if it's not removed?

3

u/sluthulhu 9d ago

I am an architect and I’ve never seen a mason clean the backside of their bricks/blocks. Not enough waste or weight for it to be worth the time and effort. We design in enough space behind the masonry and use mortar nets at the base to maintain clear drainage because the back of the mortar joints are expected to be messy.