Buttering a Brick

'Buttering' is a term used to describe the process of applying mortar to a brick or block before adding it to the structure being built.

For bricks, apply a heavy layer of mortar to one end, then cut off the excess with a trowel. For concrete blocks (inset), apply a mortar line on each of the flanges at one end

Image and text from: Masonry Essentials (1997) by Black & Decker pg 62

Spreading Mortar

Watching a professional bricklayer at work is an impressive sight. The mortar practically flies off the trowel and always seems to end up in perfect position to accept the next brick

Image and text from: Masonry Essentials (1997) by Black & Decker pg 60

Spreading mortar is an acquired skill that takes years of practice to perfect, but a beginner can easily learn the basic techniques

Load the trowel with mortar then position the trowel a few inches above the starting point.

In one motion, begin turning your wrist over and quickly move the trowel across the surface to spread mortar consistently.

'Furrow' the mortar by dragging the point of the trowel through the centre in a slight back-and-forth motion. Furrowing helps distribute the mortar evenly.


Note: The Americans call spreading mortar, 'throwing' it and bedding a brick is called 'setting'