Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Making bricks from concrete
• Method 2 of 2: Preparing and Pouring Concrete into Molds
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Bricks are primarily intended for building sturdy walls, but they can also be used for decorative purposes. Historically, bricks were made from clay and fired in a kiln. However, this is not the only way to make a brick: you can make one yourself from concrete.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Making bricks from concrete

1. 1 Make molds for the bricks. To do this, you will need standard carpentry tools, 20 mm plywood and 2.4 m long 5 x 10 cm timber.Your bricks will be 23 x 10 x 9 cm.
   • Cut a 20 mm plywood sheet into strips 30.5 cm wide and 1.2 m long. One such strip will fit 8 bricks, and all strips cut from the plywood sheet will contain 64 bricks.
   • Saw the side dividers 5 x 10 cm. You will need 2 pieces, each 1.2 m long. This makes 9 pieces of 23 cm (9 inches) long.
2. 2 Collect the forms. Lay two strips 1.2 m long parallel to each other. Secure the 23 cm pieces in between using long nails or 3-inch (7.5 cm) wood screws. As a result, you will have 8 forms 10 cm wide, 23 cm long and 9 cm deep.
   • Place a sheet of plywood on a smooth, flat surface and cover it with plastic to prevent the concrete from sticking to the plywood. After pouring the concrete, it will be necessary to wait at least 24 hours for it to harden.
   • Place the previously assembled mold on a 20mm sheet of plywood covered with plastic. Nail the shape to the sheet or secure it around the edges with pegs.
   • You can use screws to make the shape easy to disassemble.
3. 3 Before pouring the concrete, for better flow, sprinkle some lubricant on the inner walls of the mold.
   • Try not to stain the bricks with the grease.

Method 2 of 2: Preparing and Pouring Concrete into Molds

1. 1 Prepare a concrete solution and pour it into the assembled molds. This is the most physically demanding part of the job. It is easiest to use standard dry concrete mix purchased from a building materials store. As a rule, it is sold in 20-30 kg packages. A solution from this mixture can be prepared in a garden wheelbarrow.
2. 2 Pour dry mixture into the wheelbarrow. In the middle of the dry mix, make a groove with a shovel or garden hoe.
   • Start pouring water into this depression in small portions. For better control of the amount of water you fill, use a bucket rather than a water supply hose.
   • Stir the solution with a shovel or hoe, adding water until you reach the desired consistency. If the solution is too thin, it will run out from under the molds. If the mortar is too thick, it will not fill the molds properly, leaving cavities in the bricks.
   • Rent a small concrete mixer if you wish.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Gerber Ortiz-Vega

   
   
   Mason and Founder of GO Masonry LLC Gerber Ortiz-Vega is a mason and founder of GO Masonry LLC in Northern Virginia, a masonry company. It specializes in brick and stone laying services, concrete works and repair of stone structures. Owns and operates GO Masonry for over four years and has over 10 years of experience in stone work. Received a BA in Marketing from Mary Washington University in 2017.

   Gerber Ortiz-Vega
   Mason and founder of GO Masonry LLC

   The specialist warns: when making concrete from a mixture, be careful not to overflow with water, otherwise it will not set. If you are making it from scratch, do not add cement, sand or gravel, otherwise the concrete will break.

3. 3 Use a shovel to pour the solution into the molds.
   • Tap the sides of the molds. Then tap the molds on top to remove any air pockets and help the mortar settle into the molds.
   • Using a 30 cm trowel, smooth out the concrete on top of the molds. Leave it to harden for 24 hours.
4. 4 Separate the plywood from the cured concrete bricks the next day. Place the bricks in a cool place for about two weeks to fully compact. Cover them with a wet blanket. Continue to wet the blanket with water to keep it damp at all times; cover it with foil on top. This will prevent the bricks from cracking. After this two weeks of hardening, the bricks are ready for use.
5. 5 Ready.

Tips

• Save the brick molds, they may be useful for future renovation and construction work.
• Concrete bricks for garden or driveways can be made with more than DIY molds. For this, special plastic cells are on sale for casting bricks of various sizes and shapes.
• Plain concrete is gray in color, but you can paint it a different color by adding paint to the solution.

Warnings

• Concrete is corrosive, therefore, when preparing the mortar, follow the recommendations indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging.
• When working with concrete, wear protective gear - gloves, goggles and a construction respirator.

What do you need

• 20mm plywood sheet measuring 1.2 x 2.4 m
• Plastic film
• Board with a section of 5 x 10 cm and a length of 2.4 m
• 16 long nails or 3-inch (7.5 cm) screws
• Packs of dry concrete mix
• Garden trolley
• Shovel
• Hoe
• A hammer
• A circular saw
• Screwdriver
• Concrete trowel (30 cm)
• Water
• Protective gear