Brick is usually understood as a building block made of clay. Although it does not have to be made of this material at all. In Egypt, for example, mud bricks are still produced, which are likewise dried in the sun and used for masonry.
And yet the traditional brick is made of clay. It is a unique terrestrial mineral. When dried in the sun, it becomes very strong, and when burnt, it is not inferior in strength to stone. Brick making is the oldest profession. And they still make bricks. Moreover, the demand for it, despite the introduction of the latest building materials, is growing. What does it take to make bricks? In addition to clay, you need water and special equipment of varying degrees of complexity and productivity. Clay differs in its structure and therefore in quality. First, its fat content is of great importance. This factor can be determined in the following way. Take about half a kilogram of clay from the site where you plan to take it for production. Add a little water and mix thoroughly until a tough dough consistency. Then roll up a ball with a diameter of about 50 mm and a small cake and put them in the shade to dry for 2-3 days. If cracks appear on the samples, then the clay is too oily and sand should be added. Normal clay, if an uncracked ball released from a height of 1 m does not crumble. Collapsed when falling - thin clay. The quality of the brick and its optimal use also depends on the presence of certain minerals in the clay. Clay with a rich iron content produces a particularly durable brick after firing. At home, brick, as a rule, is not fired. But if it is properly dried, then it is not much inferior in quality to the fired one. So, in order to make bricks, besides clay and water, molds are needed. They are made from boards with a thickness of 20-25 mm and two sheets of plywood. Dimensions of a standard brick: 250x120x65 mm. Nails knock down 2, 3, 4-section box with a removable top cover. It is advisable to make conical protrusions in the lower and upper covers of the mold, so that voids remain in the bricks. This will facilitate better contact with the solution. After drying, a brick made in this handicraft way is quite suitable for the construction of verandas, outbuildings, baths and sheds.
