Laying out brick steps involves creating stairs by laying bricks in a systematic manner. The bricks are bound by mortar to build steps that will handle various external forces, especially people stepping on the steps. Laying your bricks properly is very important for strong steps that will last for years. Therefore, for the durability of your steps, the right brickwork should be ensured. Often, brickwork is faulty because of poor workmanship. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when laying brick steps.

Using the wrong mortar

When working with bricks, you should know the basic principles. Whilst this adds to the charm, it also makes it easy to assume that you do not need to pay attention to detail. One of the most common mistakes that people make is the use of modern mortar when repairing historic brickwork.

Combining the two eras is a bad idea. It could lead to severe damage to your steps. A section of the steps created with historic bricks has a certain porosity. This means that the steps expand and contract as the water gets into the bricks, freezes and thaws and then the process repeats itself.

Trouble begins when the old brick stairs need to be repaired and Portland cement is used to do the repairs. This mortar is less porous. When one section of the steps is more porous than the other, the adjacent sections are going to crumble as they contract, expand and breathe at different rates.

You can avoid this mistake by ensuring that the mortar you are using for your repairs matches the era of the work. If you are not sure, you can talk to a professional. In most cases, they can tell at a glance the type of mortar they have and choose the right bricks for the work.

Severe efflorescence

Whilst efflorescence is not an occurrence or a term that you are familiar with, your masonry or brick contractor will be. It refers to the crystals that can form on your brickwork. These crystals are a type of salt and the salt is usually present in the mortars or bricks, although sometimes they come from water.

Efflorescence is unattractive but its problems are more than cosmetic problems. Over time, the crystals can grow large to cause cracks in your brick and mortar and result in a loss of the structural integrity.

Corrosion and rust

After laying out brick steps, no matter how good you do it, corrosion within your masonry will lead to severe cracks over time. Proper installation is your best defense against corrosion.