A bricklayer is a specialist in the construction industry, and it is in the same category as masonry, which involves the modification, maintenance, and building of a structure from individual units. Recently, however, a bricklayer’s importance has increased to the point that the modern definition of a mason can be substituted with a bricklayer, as their duties have become one and the same.
However, for the sake of emphasizing the specialist nature of bricklaying as an occupation, let’s discuss it as if it were merely a variant of masonry. A bricklayer’s importance in building a house, or in any major construction project, cannot be overstated. Whether it’s creating a firewall, a stylish façade in the living room or just a good old fashioned brick and mortar chimney, a bricklayer’s contribution to a project will always be helpful to the overall success.
A Quality Bricklayer
As bricklaying is one of the most important specialties in the construction industry, it must come as no surprise that there are numerous job opportunities for a professional bricklayer (“Brickie” in Australian English). The following are some examples of the type of jobs one can easily find as a professional, certified bricklayer in the industry:
- Home Renovation: Whether it’s replacing eroded bricks in the chimney, or creating an exposed brick wall to add some style to a townhouse’s large kitchen, a bricklayer can easily find work in home renovation.
- Concrete Construction: Sidewalks require the proper mixing and pouring of concrete. Many buildings are comprised primarily of concrete. A bricklayer’s expertise covers all of these things, which makes a certified bricklayer invaluable to any construction crew in the industry.
- Fireproofing: Many houses in rural areas are built with a fire wall, or each wall is already “fireproofed” or made to be resistant to open flames by a bricklayer through the use of brick, mortar, and terra cotta. As fires remain a danger to the lives and homes of citizens on a daily basis, walls made out of fire resistant material – however slight it may be – might mean the difference between life and death for some people.
- Road Maintenance: Due to the constant pressure roads are subjected to on a daily basis, the cement, concrete, and the other common materials used to build roads degrade over time. As such, there is a continuous demand for experienced bricklayers to replace, repair, or maintain the road.
More and more buildings are being made out of metal, but as of yet, there seems to be no proper alternative to well-constructed stone or bricks, which means a bricklayer’s value remains quite high.
