Brickwork Projects for Patio & Garden. Alan Bridgewater

Birdbath

       Planted Patio

       Decorative Raised Bed

       Simple Garden Wall

       Storage Seat

       Gateway Columns

       Strawberry Barrel

       Semicircular Steps

       Tudor Arch Wall Niche

       Classic Round Pond

       Brick Barbecue

       Feature Wall

       Waterspout

       Glossary

      PREFACE

      When we saw our first house—an isolated Victorian farmhouse—we were confronted with numerous red brick outbuildings which were all, to some degree, tumbledown ruins. However, the bricks were crisp and hard-edged, and the lime mortar soft—so much so that we were able to scrape the bricks clean. We decided to salvage bricks from the outbuildings to renovate and extend the main house. We made contact with a retired master bricklayer in the village, who was prepared to give advice.

      We spent the next ten years working on our home—Gill scraping the bricks, and our two toddler sons doing their part. Of course it was hard work, and we made lots of mistakes, but we were spurred on by the excitement of it all. We had the time of our lives building everything from walls and arches through to pillars, posts, raised beds, paths, sheds and even the top half of a well!

      The ambition of this book is to share with you all the pleasures of working with brick to create garden features. With each project, we take you through the procedures of considering the design and working out how it might be modified to suit your individual needs. We tell you how to use the tools and materials, and explain the essential techniques. Illustrations and photographs show how best to achieve the step-by-step procedures; in fact, we take you through all the stages of designing, making, constructing and finishing.

      Brickwork doesn’t require complex tools or specialized knowledge: it is about working with your hands in the garden, and the pleasure of using your mind and body to create exciting structures.

      Best of luck!

       The imperial measurements used in this book were converted from metric. However, in all cases, the original metric measurements are given in parentheses. For best accuracy, keep to one system and avoid using a combination of metric and imperial measurements.

       HEALTH AND SAFETY

       Gloves

       Goggles

       Dust mask

       Earmuffs

       First-aid kit

       Cell phone

       Rubber gloves

       Boots

       In-line GFCI

      • A few projects are physically demanding and if you have doubts about whether you are up to it, get advice from your doctor. When lifting heavy items, minimize back strain by holding the item close to your body, and bend your knees rather than your back.

      • Never operate a machine, or attempt a difficult lifting or maneuvering task, if you are feeling tired.

      • Follow manufacturers’ instructions when using tools and materials.

      • Keep a first-aid kit and phone nearby, in case of an emergency and, if possible, avoid working alone.

      • Do not build a pond if you have young children. Other water features are safer, but even so, never leave children unsupervised.

      • Use an in-line GFCI (between the power socket and the plug) when operating electrical tools and water pumps, to prevent electric shock.

      • Brickwork—digging holes, breaking up hardcore and handling bricks—is tough on your hands, so wear hefty leather gloves whenever possible. You will probably have to take them off for minute tasks.

      • When mixing concrete and mortar, wear waterproof, thick rubber gloves, which will protect your skin from contact with corrosive cement powder.

      • Boots made from thick leather, preferably steel-toe boots, will protect your feet.

      • Sometimes it is necessary to wear additional protective gear, especially when you are cutting materials that generate sharp chippings and a lot of dust. Wear goggles when you are smashing hardcore, cutting or breaking bricks, stone and concrete, and a dust mask when mixing cement powder.

      • When using an angle grinder, wear heavy boots, gloves, goggles, a dust mask and earmuffs.

      • Wear earmuffs when using any noisy machine.