Frequently Asked Questions
What about Breakages?
Due to the nature of the product, breakages will occur during transportation. Allow for 5% breakages on all deliveries, which can be used for beam filling and paving.
What is Efflorescence?
Efflorescence is a powdery deposit of water-soluble salt which forms on the surface of bricks and pavers as the water evaporates. It is usually white but it can be yellow, green or brown. Efflorescence does not in any way influence the structural strength of clay bricks or pavers. Besides the brickwork, efflorescence can originate from the sand, mortar and water that is used during the building process. Temporary efflorescence is fairly common, but there are instances where it can persist for a while, especially with recurring rain.
The least costly solution for efflorescence found to date that works is the following:
1) Prepare the surface by cleaning the affected area with a soft brush to remove all powder residue. If there is any powder residue left on the area, when moving to step 2, the efflorescence will be reabsorbed by the brick, only to return when the brick dries out again.
2) Using a solution of 3 cups Surf to 5 litres water, wash the brickwork thoroughly using a soft scrubbing brush to allow the solution to penetrate the brick. The Surf should neutralise the salt in the brickwork.
3) Carefully rinse the washed area clean of all product and allow to dry adequately.
Should efflorescence still come out, repeat the above process, before plastering.
Bricks can also be treated with a tile bonding liquid before plastering, after the efflorescence have been brushed off with a soft brush.
How many bricks will I need to build a wall?
Take your running meters and multiply with the height of the wall you want to build.
This will give you the square meters you are going to build.
Single Wall - 55 bricks per m²
Double Wall - 110 bricks per m²
Example: Pete wants to build a double brick wall. The wall is 20 meters long and will be 1,8m height.
20 x 1,8 = 36m² x 110 brick per m² = 3 960 bricks
What is the strength of Pretoria Brickwork's plaster brick?
We test our bricks monthly to ensure the quality of our plaster bricks and to ensure that it complies with the SABS specifications.
| NFP - Test Results |