Bricklayer looking to learn

[Grant1]

Gentlemen,

I’d like to learn block paving. These are the options:

Learn from a contractor in exchange for labouring

Learn from a contractor in exchange for labouring and/or using my bricklaying skills as a complement

Via a training course (any in the Cheshire area?).

Any suggestions/advice greatly appreciated. You can also contact me via private message.


Grant.

[haggistini]

With all the big sites going under its not surprising brickies are turning their hand to paving and with your bricklaying skills you have come to the right place. Everything you need to know and lots of things you thought you knew..... Welcome anyway Grant if you can get some experience all the better just make sure they are reputable because after spending time in the brew cabin you'll find out how to do things the right way and that might not go down to well with the less ethical pavers out there.

[seanandruby]

Hi grant. You don't sound all that old. You can be taught the basics of block paving in no time, that is only a portion of what you will need to become competant. To become an expert takes a lot of time, so you would'nt want to be exchanging learning for working free. there are training courses available and i would suggest you start with one of them. You need to be employed by a good firm who wont just use you as a go for, although we all mostly started off doing that, i was a "shanty rat" at 14 years old making the tea etc. Keep your eyes and ears open to learn everything, even if it is just digging a trench. Think why is it so deep, shallow, wide etc, there is always a reason. When you get amongst it it is easy to get distracted, so always take a step back and look. I've been involved in all aspects of the building and construction for over 40 years and am still learning. :;):

[Tony McC]

Even though I wrote the training courses, they are, at best, a brief introduction to the trade and no substitution for genuine on-site experience. The only way to really learn is to spend a couple of years with a busy contractor, starting as a labourer and working your way up to be a tradesman.

The training courses are no longer run nationally, but only in Kent and Birmingham, a decision which was taken outside of the cttee, behind my back and which I vehemently oppose. The information about them is on the HLTG website but from what was said at the last meeting, there are no training courses (other than first aid and manuel angling) being run this year.

There are a few contractors here in the NW of England and in NI that are keen to 'improve' their basic skills, so I'm looking into the possibility of organising something for late October. If (and it's a sizeable if at the moment) I can pull it all together, there'll be an announcement on this website, but feel free to email me to register your interest.

[mickg]

how far are you willing to travel ?

[Grant1]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for all the responses and my apologies for not replying sooner (isn’t there an option for e-mail notification of replies?).

Haggistini, thank you for the welcome. For learning material, this site has got be unsurpassed.

There does seem to be an overlap of bricklaying and paving skills. However, the one great paving mystery for me is how perfection of finish is achieved, especially on a long, sloping drive with various curves, for example. Looks like a single mass. What I don’t understand is why the blocks remain a constant level after using a wacker plate

Even on big sites that are open, curtain walling is taking over.

Sean, good advice. The terms of learning in exchange for free labour would need to be excellent to be viable. However, I could certainly survive on a labourer’s rate for a time.

Here’s a recent “eyes and ears�. A new development in Stockport has a lot of block paving, and it looks magnificent. The blocks are dark grey, about 200 mm square on the surface (face?). The square face has a depth of about 25 mm. From there, the block is tapered to its base of c. 150 mm. This tapering is rough, whereas the face to 25 mm deep is uniform. Looks like granite and is bedded on semi-dry, fine concrete mix. Must cost an arm-and-leg. Any ideas?

Tony, I’ve ordered your book (from Amazon – sorry). Is all the material of this site also in your book? If not, maybe that could be your next (definitely put me down for a copy). Would a private print-run be worth while? Certainly more cash to yourself. I’ll keep a lookout for “something� in October.

Mick, how far? That depends on terms.

Your site is certainly impressive – superb examples (I’ve bookmarked your “How to� page). Bricklayers can’t achieve such a fine finish. Is it possible to use certain types of brick, maybe an engineering class with low porosity? Are sealants ever used to stop moss/weeds?

Which site has the greatest range of paving types?

If I can't find anything, dry-stone walling may be an option.

[Tony McC]

Mystery paving in Stockport: sounds like setts.

[techauthorbob]

Go for it, I have done my drive recently with NO previous experience by following the great advice on this site - look at 'first ever drive' on the next page and the photos (link to photobucket there). I am a 61 year old Technical Author and found that breaking the work down into logical steps is the best, eg loads of time setting out edges and levels then doing about thirty feet at a time of screeding, wacking and laying blocks. This way you can get into the flow of the job. As the job progressed the lining up definately got better though, I started running a tempory line along the centre of the run and moved any out of line back into place before the weight to move got too much.
So have a look at whats here then try it out - don't forget you can always take them up and redo them. It is very satisfying when you see the first finished run and think "Yep, I did that" and its even better when you get your first compliment from somebody walking past.

[lutonlagerlout]

As a time served bricklayer,i feel it is a great grounding in the hardscaping industry .
just takes a bit of getting used to ,doing stuff to falls rather than plumb and level
best of luck
LLL

[Grant1]

Tony,

Mystery paving in Stockport is granite from China. All same width and depth (c 9") but, from what I can make out, three different lengths (face) around 12", 6" and 3". These are placed almost random, the stipulation being no straight joints. Some weigh over 20 pounds - bet you can't get ten of those in a hod.

TTBob,

I'm thinking about that - back garden looking uninspiring. May as well turn part of it into a practice patch.


LLL,

I agree with that. That's the ideal - the potential (and variety) of a complete hard landscaping service (the big villas in the South of France in summer. OK, I'll settle for Stockport for the time being).

Grant.

[lutonlagerlout]

south of france is warm and sunny but its as dead as a door nail at night
my m8 went there 2 years ago refurbing a house in aix-en-provence, apart from the boulangerie and offie he didnt see anyone for 3 months,he said rural france they go to bed at 8PM.
gimme "the roaring winds" in romily anytime
LLL

[Dave_L]

Roaring winds/driving rain and the chinking of pint glasses at the local boozer, proper job!

[GB_Groundworks]

grant we work in stockport area, but not much block paving mainly machine work. if we get any i'll let you know, pop by and have a gander.

[cookiewales]

hi grant am working in chorley area take a look at my web site am a former bricklayer stone mason seen the light and chased the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow but it kept moving you may get a few days with us hard work good crack and get paid give me a ring cheers cookie :;): :;): :;):