Whether it’s upgrading a garden by adding a decorative wall or any other landscaping element, you understand that your reputation is on the line.
You not only want the bricks to stay in place, you also want to ensure that they look great with the right adhesive.
The problem?
With the market offering numerous options, it can be challenging to find the right adhesive for your construction job.
So what do you do?
Here are the five things to always keep in mind before buying brick adhesives:
#1. The Type of Job
Various types of brick adhesives are used for different types of projects.
Most times, it depends on whether an adhesive is being used to replace mortar or for quick repairs. For instance, standard adhesive is used for minor repairs especially in mild to warm weather.
#2. The Temperature And Dampness of an Area
First, some types of brick glue may not function properly in cold and wet weather. Likewise, special types of adhesives are used to bond wet bricks such as doing repairs in spring when the outdoor bricks may be damp.
On the other hand, there are brick glues that are suitable for wet and extremely cold weather such as in winter. Simply, you don’t have to wait for everything to be dry. You do the repair right away. For example, flexible brick adhesive can withstand extreme freezing and thawing without breaking or cracking.
#3. The Aesthetics
You need to consider your desired finish.
In some cases, glues foam after application creating more space between bricks resulting in a mortar-like look. Additionally, the adhesives come in different shades. This way, you can choose one to match or contrast your bricks’ colour.
#4. The Durability And Strength
It’s important to consider a glue’s strength because the wrong brick adhesive can lead to a failed project. The two methods normally used by manufacturers to determine durability and strength are:
A lap shear test. The objective is to measure a glue’s ability to resist stress when the adhesive moves laterally to the repaired material.
A peel strength test. The aim is to measure an adhesive’s strength when subjected to perpendicular pressure.
#5. The Drying Time
Adhesives have different drying and curing times. Some glues achieve a full strength bond within no time while others can take up several days to cure. In that case, when working on a time-sensitive project, a slow-drying brick adhesive is not ideal.
Let’s not forget: Just because a brick adhesive has dried doesn’t mean that your project can progress. In other words, drying doesn’t mean that the glue has attained full strength.
In a nutshell...
What Does This Mean For You?
Brick adhesives are convenient and critical to all types of home improvement projects. And to help you make better choices, the above pointers will come in handy.
If you’re still overwhelmed, it’s okay. We are here to help.
Please don’t hesitate to let us know because being helpful is what gets us up in the morning.