Masonry Care: Tools

Having the right masonry products and tools can make your job easier. As a full masonry supply house, we pride ourselves on having everything a contractor or do-it-yourselfer needs to get started on an Orlando masonry or paver project. Our courteous and helpful employees work hard to provide the best service! Our staff wants to guide you through the basics of masonry tools and how to care for them.

Trowel
This tool comes in many different sizes. When looking at the various options, you should consider a forged steel blade as it will last longer. You’ll notice they can vary in size, the length can range from 9 to 12 inches, while the width is 4 to 7 inches. Larger trowels are used for spreading mortar, and the smaller trowels are generally used when repairing old joints and scraping off the leftover mortar.

Handles, on the other hand, are commonly made of plastic or wood. At this point, it is your personal preference as a plastic handle lends itself easier to clean and won’t absorb water, while wood is the most durable and if sealed well won’t be an issue with water absorption.

Mason’s Hammer
This chisel-end hammer is used for splitting bricks or block and also hammering in nails if the project calls for it. The chisel usage varies on the intensity of the blow. A heavy blow can make a cutting line to split the masonry product while a light blow can delicately chisel arounds the block or brick. The hammer end comes into play when you need to break up the block or brick into pieces.

Blocking Chisel
If you need a clean cut or something to be split and the mason’s hammer just won’t cut it, a blocking chisel may be for you. This tool runs up to 8 inches wide and is made of a more substantial material like steel. Generally, with just one blow of a mashing hammer or mallet, you’ll get a clean cut. Although, a mason’s hammer is not recommended to strike a chisel because it might cause the tempered steel to split.

Masonry Power Saw
If your project involves large quantities of brick or block, you may want to buy or rent a masonry saw. This tool comes as a handheld or table saw. The handheld saws generally have a 6 to 7-inch silicon blade. If you need larger pieces cut, getting a table saw is recommended.

Levels
Along with a trowel, a level is the most critical tool to have when building a wall. When looking for a level, you should make sure it is lightweight and straight. Another consideration is a level with alcohol in the vials, commonly called spirit levels. They are considered to provide more accurate results as they contain alcohol versus the standard oil.

Mason’s Line
Trying to lay a straight wall? This dacron or nylon line is stretched and anchored between two corners to help build without bulges or hollows.

Steel Square
Ensure your corners have a perfect 90-degree angel with a large steel square.

Jointers
When finishing a mortar joint, you need a tool that gives you the indentation you desire. Joints come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so what kind you select will depend on both the products you use as well as the project.

Chalk Line
This line produces a fine red or blue chalk powder when snapped onto a surface. The line that is created helps make sure a block wall or concrete foundation is aligned correctly.

Brushes
This tool is to be used once a masonry project is complete, as it disposes of any debris that could be harmful when a cleaning solution is used. The bristle strength depends on what kind of debris you are removing. Powders can be taken care of with a medium soft bristle brush, while a light amount of mortar spillover could be addressed with a stiff bristle brush.

Storing Your Tools
With the number of tools needed to handle a masonry project correctly, it can be quite an investment. It is essential to make sure you are properly taking care of your tools after each use. Meticulously cleaning debris from each tool and storing them in a dry place can make sure they last as long as possible. If you have a workspace, you can hang the majority of your tools with a pegboard or slatwall. This storage gives you the advantage of having the tools at a glance. Toolboxes are also another great alternative for storage as they offer the additional benefit of portability.

Now that you know what tools are needed for a masonry project and how to care for them, you can find exactly what masonry products you are looking for at Bedrock Industries. We’d love to have you stop by and check out our vast selection of natural and manufactured stone, clay pavers, clay brick, and concrete blocks we have. If you want, we can even give you a tour of our plant! You can find our facility at 10500 Rocket Court in Orlando, Florida. If you would like to contact us before making the trip, we’re available for a chat by phone at 407-845-9042 or online.