Can Bricklayers Work In The Rain And Snow?
One of the most common complaints from homeowners is that their tradespeople are taking time off because of bad weather. This can often feel like an excuse and can leave you feeling infuriated. But is there any truth in this? Can bricklayers work in the rain and snow?
Laying bricks requires certain conditions and when the weather is too cold this can affect the mortar’s ability to set. Moreover, too much moisture, like when it rains, can hinder the process and cause efflorescence, so a bricklayer would have to stop working.
So, if you’re feeling frustrated that the work on your extension, new garden wall or other project has come to a halt, try and cut your bricklayer some slack. They’re only ensuring that you get the best end result.
Do Bricklayers Work In The Winter?
If it’s heading towards autumn and there’s a bit of a chill in the air, you’ll find that bricklayers will keep on working. However, once the temperature really begins to drop, they may need to make alterations to the way they work and in the worst cases, may need to stop work altogether and wait for the weather to improve.
This may be frustrating when you’re keen to have your project finished but working through a very cold winter will affect the end result. So, while bricklayers will work during winter, there comes a point when they have to down tools. We’ll talk more on how temperature affects brickwork later on.
What Happens If It Rains After Laying Bricks?
You only have to look on the internet for information on bricklaying in the rain to find hundreds of articles giving you ‘how to’s’ on how to lay bricks in the rain. But this is not professional information and when you speak to any expert bricklayer, they will tell you to completely avoid working in the rain.
Of course, the weather might be perfectly warm and sunny; ideal conditions for bricklaying but quickly turn once the work has been done. The best thing you can do is to cover the fresh brickwork with plastic to limit the amount of rain that gets to it. Bad weather is unavoidable but it is good to know what might happen if your brickwork is exposed to too much moisture.
One of the biggest problems for newly laid brickwork is excess moisture. When it rains, this water gets into the mortar and can cause something known as efflorescence. This is a crystalline deposit containing salts that are drawn out when moisture gets into brick and other building materials like concrete or stone. If left untreated, the white-grey deposit will remain on the bricks even after all of the moisture has evaporated.
The good news is that efflorescence doesn’t cause any structural damage nor does it weaken the brick. But it can look incredibly unsightly and ruin the aesthetic of your brand new brickwork so it’s best to avoid it. Of course, the best way to avoid your new brickwork being rained on is to keep an eye on the weather forecast and plan the work for a period of time when things look relatively settled.
What Temperature Can You Not Lay Bricks?
According to the National House Building Council, temperatures that fall below 4ºC will impact the quality of your bricklaying since mortar needs to remain above this temperature. While you may still be able to work in these temperatures, it is recommended that work comes to a stop when the mercury falls to 2ºC; and that’s at the very extreme end of things. The only exception to this rule is if adequate heating can be provided to keep the mortar above 4ºC.
The reason for this is that mortar contains a lot of moisture (it’s ingredients are activated by adding water) and so when it gets too cold, this moisture will freeze and expand. The result is that any structural bonds are weakened. Moreover, since mortar is considered to be waterproof, these properties are compromised when the mixture freezes. While there are anti-freeze products that can be added to mortar, they are not recommended by experts.
Another issue with bricklaying in cold temperatures is that mixing mortar becomes much more problematic. This is related to the hydration rate with the mixture taking much longer to hydrate and that means that it won’t set as quickly. When the mortar doesn’t set, it isn’t as strong and when temperatures are especially cold, you may find that the mortar never fully sets, compromising its strength and resulting in cracks.
Does Mortar Set In The Rain?
Once mortar begins to set, this process will not stop. After everything we have already told you, it may surprise you to learn that most bricklayers suggest that mortar remains moist for up to 36 hours after laying. This allows the chemical process to take place properly. This means that a bit of rain won’t halt the process of setting.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that a lot of moisture, as we discussed earlier, will affect the mortar and could result in efflorescence. So, if it’s anything more than a quick spot of drizzle, it’s a good idea to protect your brickwork while it sets.
Related Article: Can Repointing Be Done In The Rain?
Conclusion
If you’ve been given every excuse in the book as to why your brickwork hasn’t yet been completed, then you’re probably feeling understandably frustrated. But the truth is that bricklayers have to stop working during certain weather conditions.
Attempting to lay bricks in either very cold or very wet conditions can affect the final result and may either weaken the structure or decrease it’s aesthetic appeal. While it can be annoying to have to wait for the weather to pass, you’ll be glad you waited and avoided future problems.