A Mason uses bricks, concrete blocks, stone, structural tiles and other materials to construct or repair walls, foundations and other structures. They are also responsible for preparing surfaces to be covered and mixing ingredients they'll need like mortar or cement. Preparatory work such as caulking and cleaning and placing damp proofing and masonry flashing is also done by a Mason. Mason is a nationally designated trade under the Inter-provincial Red Seal program. (Find out about Red Seal in the Trades Lingo section.)

What do these workers do?
(Source: BC Work Futures)

Build walls using bricks and blocks. Building a level wall takes practise. Two methods are used to get straight walls. An experienced bricklayer creates a corner lead by building each corner of the wall to full height. Less experienced bricklayers run a plumb line from corner to corner as a guide for each lead of bricks. A pole lead is more commonly used as it doesn't require quite the precision of a corner lead. The bricklayer sets a steel pole at each corner of the wall and trues it . Plumb lines run off this pole guide each course of bricks or blocks.

Mix and carry mortar. As an apprentice you will mix and carry the mortar used to join bricks into a wall. The type of mortar depends the temperature, humidity and the types of bricks and blocks being used.

Build and dismantle scaffolding. Constructing high walls requires scaffolding. Worker's Compensation Board requirements state that substantial scaffolding must be constructed and dismantled as the work progresses.

Joint walls. This is the delicate process of applying enough mortar to give a wall its shape but not so much that it distorts it. Pointing tools and trowels are used to create smooth mortar lines between bricks and blocks.

Cut blocks, bricks and stone. Stone and brick can be cut with chisels, brick sets and hammers. Wet cutting saws and circular saws with hardened blades can also be used to cut bricks and blocks.

Lay stone and brick pathways and courtyards. Pathways, whether laid with or without mortar, require careful sub-surface preparation. Forms are used for the edges of a brick path, while stone paths are more free form. Laying a free-form stone path that is stable and weather resistant requires a lot of experience.

Build seismically sound concrete block walls. Concrete block walls higher than three feet require steel reinforcing. Fitting concrete bond blocks requires coordination and dexterity, but these blocks make it possible to build block walls that are many stories high. Building codes specify the minimum requirements for seismically sound brick and block walls and stone fireplaces.

Restore and damp proof existing masonry work. Over time the pointing on brick walls will deteriorate. Masons are employed to re-point walls and chimneys, which involves renewing mortar joints between bricks. This type of work is less common in B.C. because brick construction was never as economically as viable as in Ontario and Quebec. As a result there is less historical brick construction, both residentially and in institutions, in B.C.

Read the full Bricklayer (Mason) Profile (40kb pdf).

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