Okay, so today I wanted to mess around with building some arch bricks. I’ve always thought those looked cool, and I figured, why not give it a shot? First thing I did was gather all my materials. I had a bunch of bricks lying around from a previous project, so I grabbed those, along with some mortar mix, a trowel, and a level. I didn’t really have a plan, just a vague idea of what I wanted to do.
I started by laying out the base. The internet said this was pretty important, so I took my time making sure it was solid and level. I used the level to double-check everything, and yeah, it was a bit of a pain, but I wanted to do it right. Once the base was set, I started mixing the mortar. It was kind of like making a giant batch of really thick, gritty cake batter. I followed the instructions on the bag, adding water until it was the right consistency—not too runny, not too stiff.
Next came the actual bricklaying. I started at the bottom, laying the first brick on one side of the base. I buttered it up with mortar, making sure to get a good, even layer, and then placed it carefully. Then I did the same on the other side. I kept going like this, building up each side one brick at a time. It was slow going, and my back started to ache after a while, but I was determined to see it through.
The tricky part was getting the bricks to curve inward to form the arch. I tried to angle each brick just a little bit more than the one below it, but it was tough to get it just right. I had to redo a few bricks a couple of times, and there were some gaps that I had to fill in with extra mortar. It wasn’t pretty, but it was starting to look like an arch.
- Check the base: Make sure the base is solid and level. This is super important.
- Mix the mortar: Follow the instructions and get the right consistency.
- Lay the bricks: Start at the bottom and work your way up, one brick at a time.
- Form the arch: Angle each brick slightly to create the curve.
- Fill the gaps: Use extra mortar to fill in any spaces between bricks.
As I got closer to the top, it got even trickier. I had to hold the bricks in place while the mortar set, which was a real test of patience. But I kept at it, and finally, I placed the last brick—the keystone—at the very top. It was a bit wobbly at first, but I packed in some more mortar around it, and it held. I stepped back to admire my work. It wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot. It was rough around the edges, and the curve wasn’t exactly smooth, but it was an arch. My arch. And I had built it with my own two hands.
I let it dry for a day. I was a little worried that it might collapse, but it didn’t. It stood there, solid and sturdy, a testament to my stubbornness and my newfound bricklaying skills. It might not have been the prettiest arch in the world, but I was proud of it. And I learned a lot in the process. Maybe next time, I’ll try something a bit more ambitious. A bigger arch, maybe, or even a whole wall. Who knows? The possibilities are endless when you’ve got a pile of bricks and a bucket of mortar. It is a really good try for me.
Conclusion
Building that arch was a real challenge, but it was also a lot of fun. It’s satisfying to create something with your own hands, even if it’s not perfect. And it’s a reminder that you can learn new things if you’re willing to put in the effort. Even if your back hurts and your hands are covered in mortar.
