Bricklaying Basics Should you hit your level?? laying 4 bricks

how to lay 4 bricks and level them,
learn how to lay brick with bricklaying courses available at bb academy wigan
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[@FamilyFriendlyDIY]

👍🏻Increases productivity and therefore profits if you price by the job; increases accuracy and therefore referrals for sharp work. Even if tapping does hurt the level (which it appears it wouldn’t) you could probably buy a new level every month with the business. Love your work Stu!🤛🏻

[@marcross3197]

Just tap it, stabila levels are good enough for it. Most of the stuff you learn in college don't work in a real working environment anyway. It's just a good starting point. Subscribed

[@AJ-ds5gf]

Absolutely for the reason you just demonstrated: tapping the level imparts force along all the bricks at once, bringing them to level. It's not like you're hammering that level, they're designed for being knocked and dropped around. If anyone is worried about damaging their level, first make sure it's a stabila, and just replace it every few months as part of the job. I'd argue that the rule of tapping the brick and not the level is antiquated at the very least, if not wrong.

[@Stucrompton1]

yes aj and stabile just brought out an impact protecter so they encourage hitting level, they know its part of the job

[@tooki-tooki]

Хуя ты умный😉

[@Mrwesmrwes]

Good honest approach! Most guys are told not to tap the level but everyone on site does. Keep these vids coming!

[@matthumphries4208]

So true if you are looking for tips this is spot on, when I was at college it was "DO NOT HIT THE LEVEL" it was BS. Just get a good 4 foot level. Great advice.

[@Kushert]

Thank you for this demonstration. Excellent job!

[@Billy-gi6kc]

Yes stu very true! I’ve always tapped my level it’s just so much better, quicker, and easier Another great video keep up the good work mate 😁👍

[@beardedbricky7834]

Agreed. Gotta yap the level. Loved that you stressed with the butt of the trowel not the blade. Great video! Keep it up bro!! Respect from USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@mervyndavies2250]

Been bricklaying over 40years nothing wrong with tapping the level.

[@mikebills9343]

Hi Stu, spot on mate I always tap the level with my trowel handle , I had a client tell me years ago he had been on a course for bricklaying and I was doing it wrong ! I asked him if he still fed the steering wheel through his hands when he drove around a corner , he said of course not , I rest my case then ha ha , also he put a shed base in for me to build a shed workshop and he was 10 inches out of level in 10 foot ! Ha ha muppets ! Love em .Mike from Spain .

[@Stucrompton1]

lol mike funny story buddy

[@andyman2577]

As a Diyer this type of vid is very useful , ta Stu

[@tonyhussey3610]

Wow, that’s some slope on the pad..maybe he didn’t want water to collect 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@louai.hunedy]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@robinhadley]

I need to get myself a decent level for this reason. Like you mentioned, a video about different types of level would be great 👌🏻

[@Stucrompton1]

Going to do one tomorrow on levels Robin

[@ironian24]

I did exactly this today on my 16' x 10' first course and found it the easiest way to level the bricks, i used the 4' level and the 6' level and yes your bang on the mortar needs to be soft enough, my brickwork was for a greenhouse base 7 course high. thx for re confirming that i was doing the right thing, it made sense to me to hit the level to get a row of 6 or more brick leveled quickly.

[@ring6630]

Stabila make a masons level designed with protective strips for tapping level :-)

[@AbdurRahman-ip6us]

Hi

[@ryt2331]

U can buy the strips for most levels now

[@craigbone9231]

Thanks stu. I am self taught with brickwork nowhere near as good as you but i do learn a great deal from your videos. Thanks

[@DeeGSXR]

Stu, I watch so many of your brilliant videos (old and new). As well as an expert builder, you truly are an amazing Tutor with great attention to detail - which suits absolute beginners (like me) to advanced, with brilliant tips, guidance and camera angles along the way. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING. Much Appreciated mate. 👋👋👋👋👋

[@zulu59blue27]

Great video Stu ! Love watching your skills! !!☺👍

[@gb2185]

Brilliant demonstrations, cheers for this

[@iluraymondo7449]

Thanks for the video mate. Very useful

[@MMG_MoonManGuitar]

Makes sense to tap the level. Nice one Stu. 👍🏾

[@patrickjay6434]

Hi Stu, I wish I could give this 100 thumbs up. I recently did a bricklaying course and everyone mentioned, don't hit the level, but tapping each brick is slow, and you end up having to redo half of them. Waste of time. Much faster and more accurate to tap the level. I understand not to hit it too hard, but a few quick taps made things much easier.

[@FloHilux69]

I was gonna say Stabilas are my favourite levels and then I've realised you're using one too! Greetings from Germany

[@georgelfc1]

You am a top tappa mate !! Keep tap tap tapping

[@UKpolitoons]

Absolutely brilliant video. I watched it on my TV as its better to learn. I can scroll back and reassure Ive sussed it. Thank you as always Stu you are brilliant!

[@jamescoleman5195]

Makes perfect sense stu great sensible video all the best

[@jamesthornber6991]

Another fantastic video stu pal.well done and keep up the good work 😁😁😁😁

[@kojomensah7474]

Thanks for showing the examples

[@mickythebricky9634]

I have the same stabila level with the guards built in. 15 year's at it and this is the best I've had I usually slap it with the palm of the trowel it works perfectly fine 👌

[@hitthebricksllc9365]

Just started laying bricks last year when I started my business the level being a straight tool.its been great for me do want to learn more to get better I also find the pic and dip method better than continuous

[@charlesmartin7347]

Thanks for sharing your experience. My block wall was as crooked as a dog's hind legs so I need help for sure. Blessings and more Blessings

[@itsjustplainsailing5189]

Makes sense to me stu. Great video yet again.

[@murtazabasharat7086]

Lots of respect to u stu for taking the time and showing us the basics of Bricklaying . Could u please go through how to lay block on uneven ground on concrete at below ground level

[@Bobthebrickie]

The walking stick foot on a trowel handle is what I do. 👍🏻

[@jimmylegendre2261]

The newer stabila levels are made with a dead blow that are made specifically for tapping with your trowel they have a plastic bumper on one side , 1 of the best levels

[@asp7774]

That’s what I got taught in level one in college is that tapping on the side of the brick but I never done it I just hit the level makes life so much easier also I’ve been watching your vids for a while and you’ve made me improve in my work so much thanks so much

[@Stucrompton1]

Nice to know I could help budd

[@asp7774]

Legend

[@Eldorado1253]

Nice one Stu have always tapped the level your explanation was spot on the tip tap of the bricks drives you round the bend and that beam level you use would take some bending, side ways yes it would bend if you stood on it but the levelling edges very strong like an RSJ, tap the level and save the brick, great tip Stu hope things are going to plan

[@MrOitoyboy]

Nothing wrong with tapping the level. If your a half decent trowel they’ll be close when you put them in so it’ll only require some light tapping. Hitting the bricks with the blade can also chip or break them. Only thing is you tend to cover the level in muck when you tap it.

[@abscomm]

I think that "don't tap your level" came from the old days when levels were made of wood and were more easily damaged. You are not going to damage a high quality metal level with a slight tap from a wooden or plastic trowel handle.

[@moinmoinfischkopp8097]

hi stu...you are very good teacher for everyone ..easy to understand and your videos are just great... greetings from Germany 👌👍😀

[@Stucrompton1]

Great to know that I’m understood from Germany thank you. 👍👍

[@macplastering]

same way on setting beads for render / plaster no harm on tapping it

[@timowen7091]

These levels can take a hammering best thing I ever bought 👌

[@thebard5019]

I havent been taught to use a gauge brick, this small change will make my life a lot easier i think

[@markhunter3175]

Hi Stu, watching some brickies🤔 on a site in Preston today, they never used a level😳😂 all free hand, and rack o eye.

[@wemcal]

Great video and great information

[@antonybrown3318]

Thanks stu quick and easy👍😁

[@jontiebrassington930]

Built a 10ft by 5ft raised fish pond with big breeze blocks then layed reclaimed brich all around thanks to watching you for the past couple of years now stu.. I thank you kindly. All the best mate you deserve this opportunity /break bro👌👍

[@johnredshaw8620]

Interesting video 👍 👍same among all trades, with textbook theories and what's practical. I prefer practical... keep tapping Stu 👏👏

[@johno-gb7ci]

This is a good bit of advice to use your tools wisely.. for better results with less effort

[@stormbytes]

Absolutely makes sense to me.

[@topcatcoolio8807]

Hi Mate. Might go back to b4 Marshaltown, when trowels could cut bricks, and they had a steel rivet to the ferule handle end, and maybe levels we not as good. Makes sense. Another tip I've given learners is to turn the level, this shows the high spot if doing it that way. Great to see you taking pride pal.

[@pallyali786]

I'm on my first week of my bricklaying course and I have already realised that tapping the bricks makes it uneven from one side. I suppose if you are an experienced bricklayer then it ain't a problem.

[@andyhaskell8418]

A friend of mine builds pillars by putting on around 5 courses without plumbing at all then plumbs it by hitting his level with a lump hammer till he's happy tbf looks fine when he done but I never worry about tapping my level with a trowel after seeing that 😂😂😂

[@EvanBeard93]

Stu please do a video on keeping bond when laying.🙂 everybody loves even perps. Cheers mate

[@ryanmonahan7381]

Cane bumper on handle of trowel is mandatory for me. Then you never hear tink tink tink... I'm a big fan of crick levels, I've never used a metal level for masonry. Nice video👍

[@dorian4559]

You can also put a crutch foot on the end of your trowels handel.

[@michaelshults7675]

Yeap I tap level! I use a wood handle trowel, and I use a rubber cap/bumper on the end. Stabila is a very accurate level too!

[@kizza802]

Hi Stu. Ye! we where all thought the same. But levels can take a bit of a hit dropped mine off scaffold and after accurate checks it was perfect. But another way i was shown and it has worked best for me down the years. Lay 1st brick then level 4th and with 2 level points lay the the 2 between by eye always slightly up between them then place level on top a slight tap in middle and your done. This method after time trains the eye so good you only put your level on top to confirm your accuracy.

[@tooki-tooki]

Хороший комментарий, так делают печники в России

[@georgebarker3356]

My lecturer at college stressed the fact that you should never hit your level but as you said Stu as long as your not bashing it with a lumpy then it shouldn't throw your viles out-especially with Zzz German Stabillas!!! 😉👍

[@MrFlynnytwo]

By the way, I really enjoy all your vids and, for what it’s worth, learning bucketloads 👍

[@justarandum7959]

I'm not a bricky but when I did a small diy job I used the level method.

[@mastersamurai7683]

Good work Jay P

[@martynpearson2766]

Thanks for the upload, I think the majority of time is personal preference to the Bricklayer, when I was in college I was taught not to tap the Level, why? the reasoning them days in the early 90's spirit levels were not robust enough to take a stool end of a trowel especially being an apprentice just couldn't afford to replace my box section Rabone level. I tell the students in college not to hit the Level that way I was taught, but what I say with modern levels which are better made there is no harm, like you have demonstrated in tapping the level with the stool end of the trowel, however tell my students the importance of looking after the spirit level, and that its bad practice to see trowel mark on the spirit level through hitting it with the metal part of the trowel.

[@fqlynx]

Excellent point Stu. You should work with hardware vendors to design a level designed to take some impact specifically for levelling brick work.

[@Stucrompton1]

if i ever come into some real money i will definately work on some of my own product as i have a few ideas

[@luccianodfs6711]

thank u for the advice, but what about the straightness of the bricks? they could be going left or right

[@sacap2]

But it is only a suggestion from a subscriber who admires your work and who has followed you for several years, greetings!

[@ryandearling1]

Easiest and fastest way ,every single bricklayer I've ever known taps the level👍

[@robviolin1]

Great video 👍 question- how deep do you make your footer? Is there a general rule for footers - like 5 ft wall , use 5 inch footer, or 10 ft wall, use 10 inch footer.

[@eddieharding5961]

Put the level on the front edge (face edge )and tap bricks in the middle in the middle , simple .

[@kojomensah7474]

As long as the motor is soft as you point out, I was just asking as a mere motol

[@markobrien4940]

Hi stu do you ever use the stabila girder level as that type of level is little more heavier then the ordinary box type level.

[@callumfarrall958]

Fantastic video as always, random one but what make are the boots you have on, look solid boots them

[@Stucrompton1]

ambler boots callum

[@dannylea4664]

Bang on stu, I always tap the level, saves time and is the easiest and best way to do it. Just don't twat it 😂. Good video 👍

[@topcatcoolio8807]

Haha so no sledge hammer then ! 🤠👷‍♂️

[@dannylea4664]

@@topcatcoolio8807 never tried it. Try it out and let me know the results 😂

[@vikingofengland]

Makes perfect sense to me. But how would you level up heavy blocks, where there is more mass to move around.

[@jevgenijsgavrilovs5711]

Thank you

[@rybyyy4401]

I always tap my lev best way

[@alejandroruiz1678]

Good stu

[@isyt1]

Great advice. Now, would a square level as wide as a brick be event better?

[@lengthmuldoon]

Stu, after setting the corner brick do brickies consciously lay the next 3 ever so slightly high to facilitate "knocking down" to the level of the gauged brick?

[@paulwatson8200]

Just makes sense to tap the level.

[@Bp98]

Стју Кромптон је озбиљно ушао у наш живот.Врло позитиван лик!

[@murtazabasharat7086]

Was working with an experienced Bricklayer who had already done few courses and when I worked with him , My laying was bang on but because of lack of experience the work ethic wasn't great but I did okay but when I did it on my own from first course it was a Flippin nightmare. The type of day where u feel like leaving the job because for one u are annoyed with your self and obviously the employers not happy with your work ethic

[@fabianskora1389]

Hi stu where do u buy your work boots?

[@pauledwards9493]

spot on stu, well explained.

[@Stucrompton1]

Nice one Paul

[@brokenspoke4149]

Stabila makes a Mason's level specifically for this. They make a 24 and 48 in level with a strike pad. It's made to hit with the trowel.

[@leonmarut7092]

good thinking

[@smrrecordspodcast]

Do you level every row when ascending??

[@thadgiannetti790]

Stabila are the best, and are lifetime investment, they won’t let you down! I’ve sent a few back to factory to get calibrated and they sent me entirely new level! You can’t just abuse them but if you find the bubbles don’t agree they will make it right. Worth every penny!

[@Alexr-uf3zn]

Could depend if your on time work or a price 😂😂 just makes sense to tap the level

[@lee4741]

Trying out the new level Stu

[@Stucrompton1]

oh aye mate its a belter! you need one for your wall

[@lee4741]

Think I need a new back first 😂🤣

[@Stucrompton1]

Lol mate, sleep well then ha you will be reet lee you’re out the trenches now on to the finale

[@snowboy720]

@stu crompton what are you using for a practice mortar mix? Are you able to break it down and reuse it when you’re done with the project?

[@Stucrompton1]

Yeah as long as you don’t let it dry fully. Sand and hydrated lime

[@montebarger866]

I rarely ever strike my level with my trowel. The only time that I do is when there is only a tiny amount of adjustment needed. All other times I use my hand on the level. I feel that it is less likely to damage it and it stays cleaner. That being said I have bent cheap levels with my hand.

[@pb9926]

Makes sense to me and I'm just a thick plumber ! 🤔

[@valerimalbertogomes5156]

Can you give me some info regarding the course plz thanks

[@user-vb5ur7qd5h]

From Egypt..... I like this..... Sorry.. Dont speak english

[@mastersamurai7683]

Straight outta crompton folks

[@stineabhus6460]

Please how do you correct levelling brick if the floor is slightly uneven?

[@sacap2]

It would be great not only to publicize your work But also for people from Latin America who are interested in learning to do high quality work like the ones you do, I know that translating is quite a difficult job.

[@None7954]

In Tec in the 1970 had wooden level ,it was level one brick at a time and never hit level

[@Stop..carry-on]

Not a bricky , but I’ve got 2 of the old school stabilla bricky beam type levels that must be 20 odd years old and a 6ft stabilla box level similar age , they’ve been knocked about on site all that time ,dropped stood on ect - I checked them all last week against a brand new stabilla and they were all still reading level and plumb , the green vials are now clear on all , but goes to show a decent level can take a life on site

[@murtazabasharat7086]

In college it's pretty easy but In real life it could be a whole different story because of the awkwardness(work conditions) confined spaces , uneven ground etc

[@benclavering980]

I did ur way in my collage and people say it's wrong but I know it's right

[@Stucrompton1]

yes ben they may say that because its the colleges level, i should say wait till you have your own level before you tap it

[@eyecatcher1509]

I have a habit of using a long plasterers straight edge and sitting the level on it and tamping the straight edge with a rubber mallet. I hate hearing tap tap tap. Wouldbe nice if trowels had a rubber end as a tamper.