Whether you're a homeowner who wants to save a few bucks by doing your own masonry or a builder who wants to keep up with the latest methods, this book will be a valuable resource for you.

Written by Dick Kreh, long-time mason, masonry teacher and author of several popular books on the topic, Building with Masonry covers all the basics -- plus some creative new techniques and challenging projects.

From how to select materials, tools and equipment to the fundamentals of laying brick and concrete work, here's the ultimate user's manual for any type of masonry job.

The author, an accomplished photographer, includes lots of great photos that clearly show the important techniques and subtle details you'll need to master the art and craft of masonry.

Here's an example of what you'll learn about.

• Hand tools and masonry equipment
• Types of brick and block walls
• Mortar mixes for brick and block wall
• Techniques for laying brick
• Re-facing a brick porch and steps
• Building concrete block foundations
• Mixing your own concrete
• Forming and pouring a concrete sidewalk
• Repairing cracks in a masonry wall
• Troubleshooting damp or leaky basements
• Repairing chimneys

If you're looking for a single reference book with all the tips, techniques and clear instructions you need to get the job done right, Building with Masonry delivers a lifetime of knowledge from a consummate pro.

INTRODUCTION

1 MASONRY BUILDING MATERIALS

Brick
Concrete block
Mortar mixes for brick and block work
Miscellaneous materials

2 MASONRY TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Hand tools
Masonry equipment

3 BOND PATTERNS AND WALL TYPES

Bonds
Types of brick and block walls
Brick and block projects for special purposes

4 FUNDAMENTALS OF LAYING BRICK

Estimating brick, mortar, and sand
Using mason's spacing rules
Techniques of laying brick

5 LAYING BRICK TO THE LINE

Establishing the first concrete layout
Tooling the mortar joints
Setting a trig brick
Applying a full mortar joint across the longest side of brick
Refacing a brick porch and steps
Laying a brick walk dry in stone screenings and sand

6 LAYING CONCRETE BLOCK

Planning ahead
Laying out the bond
Starting a corner
Techniques of laying concrete block
Building concrete block foundations

7 FUNDAMENTALS OF CONCRETE WORK

Composition of concrete
Estimating concrete
Ordering concrete from the plant
Preparing for the concrete truck
Mixing your own concrete
Pouring footings
Forming and pouring a concrete sidewalk

8 MASONRY REPAIR AND RESTORATION

Cutting out and repointing mortar joints
Repairing cracks in a masonry wall
Removing old paint from brick walls
Removing stains from masonry work
Waterproofing the exterior of a masonry wall
Troubleshooting damp or leaky basements
Repairing or replacing a masonry retaining wall
Repairing chimneys

GLOSSARY

INDEX