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As one of the Ireland’s leading distributors of bricks and brick slips products, Likestone has been stocking and fitting the largest selection of bricks and brick slips products since 2005.
Suppliers of the highest quality brick and brick slips
Benefits
- Low Maintenance
- Feature Walls
- Cost Effective
- Long Lasting
Quick and Easy Guide to laying bricks
/in Architectural Design, News, Uncategorized/by WestEmly3LikBelow you will find a quick and Easy, step by step Guide, to laying bricks. Whether it is a brick house or a brick fireplace you are considering, the guide below will give you all the building brick related answers you may need.
Step 1: How to store brick
The storage area for the brick must be protected from the elements, in particular, the rain. Adequate shelter must be provided and building brick must be elevated from floor level. This prevents dampness from getting into the brick.
Step 2: What kind of mortar do I need?
There are many types of mortar available, however, it is important to select Mortar suitable for facing brick or full bricks. At Likestone, we have a full range of brick mortars available, at competitive prices, in colours grey and off white. Coloured pigments are also available if you desire a colour alternative to grey or off white.
Step 3: Produce a sample wall using selected bricks
Brick sizes may vary, particularly when using natural clay bricks, therefore it is advisable to build a sample wall. The definition of levels, thickness of joints, number of brick courses and design of the alignment must take place after adequate sampling of the products.
NOTE: The declared dimensions are ‘nominal’ sizes.
Step 4: Check the colour of mortar and bricks
It is advisable, particularly when on larger scale builds, such as building a brick house, to always check the colour of the mortar and the bricks. This can be done during the sampling phase to ensure the finished product is what you were envisioning with your brick.
Step 5: How to reduce the risk of damp.
The irish climate can prove quite challenging, particularly in the construction industry. Therefore, it is imperative to provide an adequate damp proof course in your brick house.
Step 6: Mixing the brick
Building brick in large quantities may have a variety of shading and tones throughout. With this in mind, it is advisable to select brick from at least 3 different pallets when building, to ensure the brick is mixed evenly though the brick wall.
Building Brick On Site
Step 7: Wetting bricks
Building brick is naturally a porous product which means that wetting them before laying them is strongly advised. Wetted bricks are stronger than dry bricks. Also, if wetted adequately, you can avoid ‘burning’ the mortar.
Step 8: Provide adequate ventilation
Ventilation is a strong consideration, particularly with brick houses and living spaces. It is advisable to provide ventilation holes at the base and top of the brickwork and ensure that the flow of air between the facing bricks and the load bearing wall (cavity wall ties) is not obstructed by mortar.
Step 9: Protecting the new brick wall
During the building phase, the new brick wall needs to be protected from the elements, in particular, the rain and cold. If the temperature reduces to 0 degrees Celsius or below, brick laying must be suspended.
Step 10: Washing the finished brick wall
At the end of the works and only after the ‘curing’ of the binder, make sure to completely wash the dry wall with an acid solution. Ensure that waterproofing products are not used.
NOTE:
Battens, angles and special parts should be ordered together with the bricks.
Waterford Marine Search and Rescue gets a facelift!
/in Uncategorized/by WestEmly3LikWaterford Marine Search and Rescue Service (WMSARS) an invaluable resource in Waterford City and County, has been responsible for saving over 120 lives since its establishment in 2010.
The service provides a 24/7, 365 days a year search, rescue and recovery service, with almost 50 volunteers giving their time selflessly and risking their own lives.
Originally situated at the Neptune Marina in Canada Square, the organisation moved to a state of the art facility at Unit 10 Park Road Business Park in January 2017. The new 6,000 square feet premises houses an impressive hi-tech communications room, two training rooms, accommodation for families and service volunteers and a family liaison room.
According to Declan Barry, Vice Chair of WMSARS, the generosity and support of local businesses and the general public have enabled the service to provide one of the country’s best marine rescue resources in the country.
“The move to our new premises has been facilitated by donations of cash, time, raw materials and labour from so many great local businesses. As a charity we are wholly reliant on the generosity of the general public to provide funding for a service that, unfortunately, still is a necessity in Waterford city and the surrounding area.”
One of the many local businesses to support the move to the new premises was Likestone, a brick and stone cladding systems provider. Stephen O’ Connor, owner of Likestone was delighted to assist the move to the new Park Road premises.
“Declan and Darryl Barry and the WMSARS volunteers provide a crucial service that often goes unheralded. Most evenings these guys are out on the water on suicide patrol or assisting the Gardai and Emergency Services in the search for missing people.”
“They have saved the lives of hundreds of people who felt they have no other recourse and provided vital assistance to families and the emergency services. The move to the new building is a great one as they now have top of the range facilities which help make their difficult jobs a bit easier and gives families and emergency services a comfortable and accessible base.”
Declan added, “Business owners like Stephen have been so generous and we are very appreciative of the donations, support and assistance we have received over the years, as we are a not-for-profit organisation that receives no state funding.”
Since it was established over seven years ago WMSARS has rescued 25 people alive from the waters of the River Suir, prevented 101 people from entering the river with the intention of taking their life and clocked up over 1400 hours annually on suicide prevention patrols.
Get the festive Parma look for Christmas!
/in Uncategorized/by WestEmly3LikImpress your family and guests with a beautiful white Parma brick tile. This brick tile is versatile, durable, easy to work with, and very easy on the eye. Matched with warm Christmas decor and fabrics it creates the perfect, inviting seasonal living space.