7.22.2016

We were almost out of brick ties so I started the morning running to the concrete place to get some more.  I also finally tracked down a filter for our Shop Vac that had been in storage and definitely needed replaced.  I had to laugh - on the box it said this filter fit Shop Vacs before 1988!  Yes, we do keep things forever!



Jim had been busy while I was gone - he cut a bunch more half bricks for the top course.  He has to power spray them because they are white from the long cutting process.

 

He put the earthquake ties on the front.  Yes, even though I've been calling them hurricane ties, they are really earthquake ties.  I figure we don't want either so we're good now!

Jim spent awhile cleaning up the front in preparation for the next steps.  This is where we finished on block last fall so this area didn't get the membrane attached.  Jim had to power spray the block to get it ready - but they weren't dry enough to apply membrane today.

He did, however, put membrane over the two beam pocket areas in the back to eliminate air (and pest!) infiltration. 

He also got the laser level out and struck lines over the whole back area to see how straight everything was and if it would come out the height it was supposed to - and it did!  It doesn't take much when you are laying brick to be off a little.  It was a huge relief to know that things were in great shape.

 

After all that work, time to make the mortar!

Another course in the front...

The main goal for today was to work on the half course at the top.  Jim added some to the back...

...and then worked down the side.

A stop mid-way to joint the front because it firms up so quickly in the heat and sun.

Continuing the top course...

Using up the remainder of the mortar to add some full bricks to the back.

The west wall is now officially bricked!  Jim wrapped the top course around the front - the rest of the front will wait until we decide how we want to finish over the garage doors.

 

It was big to get the west wall done.  After I left to take care of some things at home, Jim was now able to take down all of our sawhorse scaffolding.  We hope to be able to bring the Bobcat and mortar box around to the back so that we won't have so far to carry shovelfuls of mortar and the mortar can stay healthier in the shade.

 

Jim also got the rest of the half bricks cut to finish the back wall of the auto bay - it's really exciting to get walls finished!

 

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