Homemade bricks always seem flimsy? It might be due to these 3 key steps being done incorrectly.

Homemade bricks always seem flimsy? It might be due to these 3 key steps being done incorrectly.

If you're making bricks with a small brick-making machine and find the finished product loose, brittle, and lacking strength, the problem is usually not with the machine itself, but rather with errors in three key areas: the raw material ratio, the mixing method, and the curing process. With a few adjustments, you can make sturdy and durable bricks.

Step 1: Incorrect Raw Material Ratio. This is the foundation of strength. Don't just randomly add sand and cement based on intuition. A reliable basic formula is: approximately 7 parts sand, 2 parts cement, and 1 part fine gravel if needed. Cement is the only "glue," and the amount used cannot be too little, otherwise it won't bond properly. At the same time, the amount of water is crucial: too little water, and the materials won't bind well and won't compact; too much water, and the brick blank will deform, have many internal pores, and become brittle when dry. The ideal moisture level is: it can be squeezed into a ball by hand, and when released, it will naturally crumble.

Step 2: Uneven Mixing. Simply pouring all the materials together and stirring a few times is far from enough. The correct method is to first thoroughly mix dry sand and cement until the color is uniform and individual cement powder is no longer visible. Then, gradually add water while stirring, ensuring that every grain of sand is coated with cement paste. An uneven mixture will create "weak points" within the brick where cement is lacking, making it prone to breakage under pressure.

The third step: Improper curing. Bricks are not simply "dried" but require "curing." Freshly made wet brick blanks are very delicate and should not be exposed to direct sunlight or strong drafts, as this will cause excessive surface moisture loss and internal cracking. The correct method is to place the brick blanks in a cool, well-ventilated area, stack them neatly, and cover them with damp burlap sacks or plastic sheets. Spray water daily to keep them moist, allowing the bricks to slowly air dry for at least 7 days. This process allows the cement sufficient time to react with the water and harden. Skipping curing will significantly reduce the strength of the bricks.

By checking and correcting these three steps—mixing the correct proportions, ensuring thorough mixing, and patiently curing—you will surely be able to make sturdy and reliable homemade bricks. Remember, good bricks are "nurtured" to grow, not "exposed" to the sun.