Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:09 pm
I'm replacing about 100 spalled bricks which have been laid on edge as the top course of my 6-course high garden retaining wall. At each end of this course, two galvanised metal right-angled stays have been laid in the mortar - it looks as though they are meant to retain the bricks in position. They look pretty unsightly. I wonder if they are strictly necessary and I'm thinking about not re-using them, when I get to re-laying the course. Any comments, anyone?
The bricks are Tudor Red and I haven't a clue what the metal stays are called so I'm in need of enlightenment, which I have a feeling I'll get in a big way!
Incidentally, removing the old bricks has been a long, tedious job. I feel I should clean the mortar out of the frogs in the course below, to give the new bricks a decent bedding-in. I am considering using an SDS drill with a chisel bit to clean them up and speed up the job a bit. Is this a wise move? I'd give anything to abandon the hammer and chisel!
The bricks are Tudor Red and I haven't a clue what the metal stays are called so I'm in need of enlightenment, which I have a feeling I'll get in a big way!
Incidentally, removing the old bricks has been a long, tedious job. I feel I should clean the mortar out of the frogs in the course below, to give the new bricks a decent bedding-in. I am considering using an SDS drill with a chisel bit to clean them up and speed up the job a bit. Is this a wise move? I'd give anything to abandon the hammer and chisel!
