[Q&A]: What will happen if the clay bricks are soaked in water for too much time?

BRICKS-n-MORTAR's e-desk replies to a query comment received from a reader on our earlier published post "[Q&A]: Brick Masonry work | "Why bricks be soaked ...":

Query of a reader:

What if bricks are soaked more than required time? How to determine the optimum time of soaking? Please reply

Team BnM's reply :

Like we said in the post itself, normally, about 2 to 6 hours of soaking of bricks in a tank full of potable water is suggested.

 

Otherwise, in case of paucity of time, a minimum period of one hour prior to bricks being laid must be adhered to.

In case the bricks have been lying in water for substantial part of time, say like one or two days or even more, ensure taking out the bricks and making them skin dry under sun or in the open air so that extra water retained in the pores of the bricks be let off.

One more thing to ensure after prolonged soaking of bricks is to take a visual note whether any white, yellowish or other patches have come up on the surface? Such patches, if they do come up on the surface, indicate presence of un-reacted lime in bricks, which is not desirable in any case (called efflorescence of bricks).

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Ask us in case you also have any query relating to civil engg, architecture, building design & construction, interiors, etc.

Related original post: [Q&A]: Brick Masonry work | "Why bricks be soaked in water before placing them?"

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