Masonry Equipment and Supplies Buying Guide:

If you are in the masonry business or buy supplies for a masonry company, there are many products to choose from and each has a particular purpose. This article will concentrate more on supplies and materials than on equipment and saws that masonry contractors use (masonry saws, stone saws, high speed hand held saws, concrete saws, tile saws, handheld saws). Masonry is the building of structures usually done with brick and mortar to hold it together. Other common materials are stones like marble, granite, travertine, limestone, tile, glass block or concrete block. Masonry is one of the most sturdy and durable forms of construction but the materials used can heavily impact the long term stability of the work. Masonry is used to construct many buildings and homes so going with a masonry contractor who uses quality materials and supplies will ensure that your structure will still be standing after harsh weather or even strong earthquakes.

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Concrete is one of the main structural components in almost all buildings. Concrete mix is a combination of gravel, sand, and cement that comes premixed and should be used with wire remesh or rebar. When doing steps, pads, or walkways, concrete mix works well. Fast setting concrete is similar to "concrete mix" except that it has additives that allow it to set quickly (about 1 hour in 70 degrees F). If you are going to set fence posts or put small pads in your yard, fast setting concrete is recommended. Fiber reinforced concrete has similar materials to the previous 2 concretes listed but it also comes with synthetic fibers that make the concrete stronger therefore increasing it's impact resistance. With less chances for cracking you don't need any wire reinforcement and this type of concrete works best for steps, walks, walls, and pads. There is something called a 5000 lb mix that combines gravel, sand, cement and special additives that allow the concrete to set fairly fast and have 5000 lbs PSI in just 28 days. Masonry experts advise using 5000 lb mix in cold weather pouring, if the project needs immediate strength, or when a strong base is required for heavy equipment or large objects. Portland Cement is found in both mortar and concrete and is a great bonding agent. Portland cement is recommended when doing custom mixing or on big projects. All purpose sand and gravel are found in concrete as well and are excellent as fillers and underlayment when paving with stones and bricks.

Masonry Mortar:

Mortar is a critical aspect of any masonry job since it is the bonding agent that holds bricks, blocks and other building materials in place. If you are going to be grouting stone or brick pavers, laying block and brick, or repairing mortar joints, you will want to work with mortar mix which provides excellent adhesive properties. Mortar mix is made up of fine sand and cement that is premixed and masonry contractors like it for it's workability. Cement Type N Masonry is the preferred ingredient in mortar when laying stone veneer and brick in non-load bearing applications. On the opposite side is Cement Type S Masonry which tends to be used in load bearing applications. You can find lots of masonry mortar at stores like Lowes or Home Depot.

Masonry Coatings:

In order to protect masonry structures from weather and the elements, coatings are placed over the actual bricks and stones. SurfaceBonding Cement is used to waterproof and strengthen masonry walls that are porous. This material is both water and weather resistant and is the perfect adhesive mixture of find sand, glass and Portland cement. Heavy Duty Masonry Coating combines silica sand and Portland cement to create a material that can withstand lots of moisture and extreme temperatures. Use this coating on interior or exterior jobs when sealing or weatherproofing masonry.

Masonry Patches:

Masonry, even when done correctly often leaves cracks and holes that need filling with a product called "patches". If you are looking to seal cracks in steps, driveways, walks, or pads consider using a "crack sealer" which is a liquid latex. It's not only water and weather resistant but is a superior adhesive. Vinyl Concrete Patch is a great option for filling cracks/holes in mortar and concrete applications because it's weather resistant and adhesive. In masonry structures where the potential for water leakage is high, hydraulic cement is the perfect patch because it sets in less than 10 minutes and it expands as it sets to seal holes. Hydraulic cement includes fine sand, calcium, Portland cement, and a fast setting additive. Anchoring cement is another patch option of premixed cement and additives that also sets quickly (less than 1/2 hour). If you want to secure anchors like posts or bolts in masonry structures, use Anchoring cement for fast acting sealant on cracks and holes.

Masonry Accessories:

Masonry work can be labor intensive and having just a few accessory items can make life much easier. Walkmaker is used when shaping concrete for patios or walks. It's a high impact resin. A form tube is reinforced corrugated cardboard used above or below grade when forming columns or posts. If you want to add color to your mortar or concrete then use something called colorant. Colorant is available in brown, charcoal, red, and buff colors. Lastly, expansion joints work great at controlling cracks by compressing or expanding with the concrete.

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