Brick selection is vital before attempting any job.  Porous bricks in a constantly wet environment, (ponds, garden wall, below damp) will quickly gain that green moss look.  This is because they will become quickly saturated and retain the water for a great deal of time. Likewise the use of facing, (good quality bricks) should not be used where you are not going to see them or where water should be retained.

Bricks come, of course, in a variety of forms:

Common Bricks

           Mainly used for none faced jobs.( i.e.. unseen, or where appearance is not an issue)

Engineering Bricks  

            Hard non-porous Bricks. Used where damp may be an issue (i.e.. Damp courses,   ponds)

Facing Bricks         

           Good quality finish bricks.  Attractive to the eye. Hand-made  or machine.

Refractory Bricks   

           Rarely used these days.  Factory work. (Inside of kilns, where high temperatures will be present)

Bricks should be loaded out with care and protected from the weather if they are not being used straight away.  When laying bricks it is worth while taking the care to inspect for chips, general damage and suitability.            (Occasionally the kiln will throw out bricks that appear to be a completely different colour!)

Basic Brick Terminology

Stretcher      The long face of the brick

Header        The short, end face of the brick.

Frog            The depression in the brick. (Engineering bricks have holes)

Arris          The edges of the brick.