🧱 Masonry

• bed joint BED yóint ▶ EN
  junta horizontal HOON-tah oh-ree-son-TAHL ▶ ES

  The horizontal mortar joint between two courses.

  Keep the bed joints a consistent three-eighths or the coursing will drift. — Mantén las juntas horizontales parejas a tres octavos o se te van a correr las hiladas.

  Also: junta horizontal (MX) · junta de asiento (general)

• bond beam BOND biim ▶ EN
  trabe de block TRAH-beh deh blok ▶ ES

  A course of channel-shaped block filled with rebar and grout that ties the wall together.

  Set the bond beam block at the top course and run two #5 bars through it. — Coloca el block de trabe en la última hilada y pasa dos varillas del número 5.

  Also: dala (MX) · viga de amarre (general) · solera (GT)

• brick BRIK ▶ EN
  ladrillo lah-DREE-yoh ▶ ES

  A small fired clay unit laid in mortar for walls and veneer.

  Stock a thousand brick along the wall before we start in the morning. — Deja mil ladrillos a lo largo del muro antes de empezar en la mañana.

  Also: tabique (MX) · ladrillo (general) · ladrillo (PR)

• brick hammer BRIK JÁ-mer ▶ EN
  martillo de albañil mar-TEE-yoh deh ahl-bah-NYEEL ▶ ES

  A hammer with a square face and a chisel blade for cutting and dressing brick or block.

  Knock that lip off with the brick hammer instead of walking to the saw. — Quítale ese borde con el martillo de albañil en vez de ir hasta la sierra.

  Also: martillo de albañil (MX) · martillo de mampostería (general)

• brick set BRIK set ▶ EN
  cincel de ladrillo seen-SEL deh lah-DREE-yoh ▶ ES

  A wide flat chisel struck with a hammer to split brick or block on a clean line.

  Score it with the brick set and hit it once, hard. — Márcalo con el cincel de ladrillo y pégale una sola vez, duro.

  Also: cincel de albañil (MX) · cortafrío (general)

• cap block KAP blok ▶ EN
  block tapa blok TAH-pah ▶ ES

  A solid-top block laid on the last course to close off the cells.

  Cap block goes on the fence wall as soon as the grout sets. — El block tapa va en la barda en cuanto fragüe el grout.

  Also: block tapa (MX) · bloque de remate (general)

• cleanout KLÍIN-aut ▶ EN
  registro de limpieza reh-HEES-troh deh leem-PYEH-sah ▶ ES

  An opening left at the bottom of a cell so debris can be cleaned out and the rebar checked before grouting.

  Blow out the cleanouts with air and close them up after the inspector signs off. — Sopla los registros de limpieza con aire y ciérralos después de que firme el inspector.

  Also: registro de limpieza (MX) · ventana de limpieza (general)

• CMU SI-EM-IÚ ▶ EN
  block de concreto blok deh kon-KREH-toh ▶ ES

  Concrete masonry unit — the gray concrete block used for structural walls, usually 8x8x16.

  The plans call for 8-inch CMU on the whole east wall. — Los planos piden block de concreto de 8 pulgadas en todo el muro del este.

  Also: block (MX) · bloque de concreto (general) · bloque (PR)

• concave joint kon-KÉIV yóint ▶ EN
  junta cóncava HOON-tah KON-kah-vah ▶ ES

  The rounded, tooled joint that sheds water best and is used on most block and brick walls.

  Standard concave joint on the whole elevation — use the half-inch jointer. — Junta cóncava estándar en toda la fachada; usa el rayador de media pulgada.

  Also: junta cóncava (MX) · junta redondeada (general)

• control joint kon-TRÓUL yóint ▶ EN
  junta de control HOON-tah deh kon-TROL ▶ ES

  A planned vertical break in a block wall that lets shrinkage cracking happen in a straight line.

  The control joint lands at the third block past the door — keep it plumb. — La junta de control cae en el tercer block después de la puerta; mantenla a plomo.

  Also: junta de control (MX) · junta de contracción (general)

• coping KÓU-ping ▶ EN
  albardilla ahl-bar-DEE-yah ▶ ES

  The finished cap of stone, precast, or metal on top of a wall that keeps water out.

  Bed the coping in full mortar and caulk the joints when it's dry. — Asienta la albardilla con mortero completo y sella las juntas cuando seque.

  Also: albardilla (MX) · coronamiento (general) · caballete de muro (GT)

• corner lead COR-ner liid ▶ EN
  esquina guía es-KEE-nah GHEE-ah ▶ ES

  The stepped stack of block or brick built plumb at each corner first, so the line can be strung between them.

  Run both corner leads up six courses before anybody lays the middle. — Levanta las dos esquinas guía seis hiladas antes de que alguien pegue el centro.

  Also: esquina guía (MX) · esquina maestra (general)

• course CORS ▶ EN
  hilada ee-LAH-dah ▶ ES

  One horizontal row of block or brick running the length of the wall.

  We got twelve courses up before lunch. — Levantamos doce hiladas antes de la comida.

  Also: hilada (MX) · hilera (general) · hilera (PR)

• cultured stone KÓL-cherd stóun ▶ EN
  piedra artificial PYEH-drah ar-tee-fee-SYAHL ▶ ES

  Manufactured concrete units molded and colored to look like real stone.

  That column is cultured stone, so keep the corner pieces for the outside edges. — Esa columna es de piedra artificial, así que guarda las piezas de esquina para los cantos.

  Also: piedra cultivada (MX) · piedra manufacturada (general)

• efflorescence e-flo-RÉ-sens ▶ EN
  salitre sah-LEE-treh ▶ ES

  The white powdery salt that leaches out and stains masonry when water moves through it.

  That efflorescence means water is getting in somewhere above the flashing. — Ese salitre quiere decir que está entrando agua arriba del tapajuntas.

  Also: salitre (MX) · eflorescencia (general) · sarro blanco (PR)

• expansion joint eks-PÁN-shon yóint ▶ EN
  junta de expansión HOON-tah deh eks-pahn-SYOHN ▶ ES

  A compressible gap in brickwork that gives the wall room to grow without buckling.

  Never fill an expansion joint with mortar — it takes foam backer and sealant. — Nunca rellenes una junta de expansión con mortero; lleva respaldo de espuma y sellador.

  Also: junta de expansión (MX) · junta de dilatación (general)

• flashing FLÁ-shing ▶ EN
  tapajuntas tah-pah-HOON-tahs ▶ ES

  Sheet material built into the wall to catch water and send it back outside.

  Don't lay another course until the flashing is lapped and sealed. — No pegues otra hilada hasta que el tapajuntas esté traslapado y sellado.

  Also: tapajuntas (MX) · botaguas (general) · flashin (PR)

• grout lift GRÁUT lift ▶ EN
  tanda de grout TAHN-dah deh graut ▶ ES

  One height of grout placed in a wall at a time, usually limited to five feet unless high-lift grouting is approved.

  Keep the grout lifts under five feet and let each one settle before the next. — Mantén las tandas de grout abajo de cinco pies y deja que cada una asiente antes de la siguiente.

  Also: tanda de colado (MX) · tongada de mortero de relleno (general)

• grouting GRÁU-ting ▶ EN
  colado de celdas koh-LAH-doh deh SEL-dahs ▶ ES

  Pouring fluid grout into the block cells to lock the rebar and solidify the wall.

  The pump truck comes at seven for grouting the north wall. — La bomba llega a las siete para el colado de celdas del muro norte.

  Also: colar las celdas (MX) · relleno con grout (general)

• half block JAF blok ▶ EN
  medio block MEH-dyoh blok ▶ ES

  An 8-inch-long block used at openings and corners so the joints stay lined up.

  Bring me a stack of half blocks for the window jambs. — Tráeme una rimera de medios blocks para las jambas de la ventana.

  Also: medio block (MX) · medio bloque (general)

• head joint JED yóint ▶ EN
  junta vertical HOON-tah ver-tee-KAHL ▶ ES

  The vertical mortar joint between two units in the same course.

  Butter both ears so the head joints come out full. — Enmezcla las dos orejas para que las juntas verticales queden llenas.

  Also: junta vertical (MX) · llaga (general)

• jointer YÓIN-ter ▶ EN
  rayador rah-yah-DOR ▶ ES

  The steel bar or S-shaped tool dragged through a joint to shape and compact it.

  Run the jointer on the head joints first, then the beds. — Pasa el rayador primero en las juntas verticales y luego en las horizontales.

  Also: rayador (MX) · junteador (general) · hierro de juntas (ES)

• ladder wire LÁ-der uáier ▶ EN
  escalerilla es-kah-leh-REE-yah ▶ ES

  Prefabricated joint reinforcement shaped like a ladder that gets laid in the bed joints of block walls.

  Ladder wire goes in every other course, lapped six inches. — La escalerilla va cada dos hiladas, traslapada seis pulgadas.

  Also: escalerilla (MX) · armadura de junta (general) · electromalla de junta (GT)

• level LE-vel ▶ EN
  nivel nee-VEL ▶ ES

  The tool with bubble vials used to check a wall level and plumb; the long mason's version is called a plumb rule.

  Level every block both ways and plumb the corner with the four-foot. — Nivela cada block en los dos sentidos y aploma la esquina con el nivel de cuatro pies.

  Also: nivel (MX) · nivel de burbuja (general) · nivel de aire (PR)

• line block LÁIN blok ▶ EN
  bloque de hilo BLOH-keh deh EE-loh ▶ ES

  A grooved wood or plastic block that hooks on a corner and holds the mason's line tight.

  Hook the line blocks on both leads and pull it tight. — Engancha los bloques de hilo en las dos esquinas y ténsalo bien.

  Also: bloque de hilo (MX) · tensor de cuerda (general)

• line pin LÁIN pin ▶ EN
  clavo de hilo KLAH-boh deh EE-loh ▶ ES

  A steel pin driven into a mortar joint to anchor the mason's line where a block won't hook.

  Stick a line pin in the joint and run the line off it. — Mete un clavo de hilo en la junta y corre el hilo desde ahí.

  Also: clavo de hilo (MX) · pasador de línea (general)

• lintel LÍN-tel ▶ EN
  dintel deen-TEL ▶ ES

  The steel angle or reinforced beam that carries masonry over a door or window opening.

  Set the lintel with eight inches of bearing on each side. — Coloca el dintel con ocho pulgadas de apoyo en cada lado.

  Also: dintel (MX) · cargador (general) · solera de dintel (GT)

• margin trowel MAR-yin TRÁU-el ▶ EN
  cuchara de margen koo-CHAH-rah deh MAR-hen ▶ ES

  A narrow square-tipped trowel handy for scooping mortar out of the pan and cleaning tools.

  Hand me the margin trowel so I can scrape the mud pan clean. — Pásame la cuchara de margen para raspar la charola de mezcla.

  Also: espátula de margen (MX) · llana de margen (general)

• mason MÉI-son ▶ EN
  albañil ahl-bah-NYEEL ▶ ES

  A worker who builds walls out of block, brick, or stone set in mortar.

  We need two more masons to finish the block wall by Friday. — Necesitamos dos albañiles más para terminar el muro de block el viernes.

  Also: albañil (MX) · maestro albañil (general) · mampostero (ES)

• mason's line MÉI-sons láin ▶ EN
  hilo de albañil EE-loh deh ahl-bah-NYEEL ▶ ES

  The taut nylon string stretched between corners that keeps a course straight and level.

  Don't crowd the mason's line — leave it a sixteenth off the block. — No aprietes el hilo de albañil; déjalo un dieciseisavo separado del block.

  Also: hilo (MX) · cuerda de albañil (general) · cordel (PR)

• masonry saw MÉI-son-ri SÓO ▶ EN
  sierra de albañilería SYEH-rrah deh ahl-bah-nyee-leh-REE-ah ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The diamond-blade saw used to cut block, brick, and stone; run it wet, use eye and hearing protection, and keep a respirator on for silica dust.

  Keep water on the masonry saw and wear your respirator — dry cutting block is silica dust. — Mantén agua en la sierra de albañilería y ponte el respirador; cortar block en seco suelta polvo de sílice.

  Also: sierra de albañilería (MX) · cortadora de block (general) · sierra de cortar bloque (PR)

• mixer MIK-ser ▶ EN
  revolvedora reh-vol-veh-DOH-rah ▶ ES

  The powered drum or paddle machine that mixes mortar or grout on site.

  Fire up the mixer — we need mud on the wall in ten minutes. — Prende la revolvedora, necesitamos mezcla en el muro en diez minutos.

  Also: revolvedora (MX) · mezcladora (general) · hormigonera (PR)

• mortar MOR-der ▶ EN
  mortero mor-TEH-ro ▶ ES

  The mix of cement, lime, and sand that glues block, brick, or stone together; crews just call it mud.

  Keep the mortar workable — add a little water and retemper it before it sets up. — Mantén el mortero manejable: échale un poco de agua y remézclalo antes de que fragüe.

  Also: mezcla (MX) · mortero (general) · mezcla de pega (GT)

• mortar bed MOR-der bed ▶ EN
  cama de mortero KAH-mah deh mor-TEH-ro ▶ ES

  The strip of mortar you spread on the wall or footing before setting the next units.

  Throw a full mortar bed on the footing before you set the first course. — Tiende una cama de mortero completa en la zapata antes de asentar la primera hilada.

  Also: cama de mezcla (MX) · lecho de mortero (general)

• mortar board MOR-der bord ▶ EN
  tabla de mortero TAH-blah deh mor-TEH-ro ▶ ES

  The flat board or stand that holds a load of mortar within reach of the mason; the handheld version is a hawk.

  Load the mortar board and set it on the stand next to the lead. — Carga la tabla de mortero y ponla en el burro junto a la esquina guía.

  Also: tabla de mezcla (MX) · esparavel (general) · esparabel (PR)

• mortar joint MOR-der yóint ▶ EN
  junta de mortero HOON-tah deh mor-TEH-ro ▶ ES

  The mortar-filled space between masonry units, normally three-eighths of an inch.

  The inspector wants every mortar joint full and tooled, no voids. — El inspector quiere toda junta de mortero llena y rayada, sin huecos.

  Also: junta (MX) · junta de mortero (general)

• mortar tub MOR-der tob ▶ EN
  batea de mezcla bah-TEH-ah deh MES-klah ▶ ES

  The big plastic or steel tub the mortar is dumped into and kept at ground level.

  Dump the batch in the mortar tub and cover it so it doesn't skin over. — Vacía la revoltura en la batea de mezcla y tápala para que no haga costra.

  Also: batea (MX) · artesa (general) · tina de mezcla (GT)

• mud pan MOD pan ▶ EN
  charola de mezcla chah-ROH-lah deh MES-klah ▶ ES

  The shallow plastic or steel pan a mason works mortar out of on the scaffold.

  Fill the mud pans on the scaffold before the crew climbs up. — Llena las charolas de mezcla en el andamio antes de que suba la cuadrilla.

  Also: charola (MX) · bandeja de mortero (general)

• muriatic acid myu-ri-Á-tik Á-sid ▶ EN
  ácido muriático AH-see-doh moo-ryah-TEE-koh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  Diluted hydrochloric acid used to clean mortar off masonry; it burns skin and eyes, so wear goggles, gloves, and never pour water into acid.

  Wear your goggles and gloves — we're cutting muriatic acid ten to one for the wash. — Ponte los goggles y los guantes; vamos a diluir el ácido muriático diez a uno para el lavado.

  Also: ácido muriático (MX) · ácido clorhídrico (general) · muriático (PR)

• parging PAR-ying ▶ EN
  repellado reh-peh-YAH-doh ▶ ES

  A thin coat of mortar troweled over block, usually below grade or on a foundation face.

  Parge the foundation wall before the waterproofing crew shows up. — Dale repellado al muro de cimentación antes de que llegue la cuadrilla de impermeabilización.

  Also: aplanado (MX) · revoque (general) · repello (GT)

• pointing trowel POIN-ting TRÁU-el ▶ EN
  cuchara de punta koo-CHAH-rah deh POON-tah ▶ ES

  A small pointed trowel used to pack mortar into joints and patch tight spots.

  Use the pointing trowel to fill those head joints before the mortar gets stiff. — Usa la cuchara de punta para llenar esas juntas verticales antes de que se ponga dura la mezcla.

  Also: cucharita (MX) · paleta de resane (general)

• raked joint RÉIKT yóint ▶ EN
  junta rehundida HOON-tah rreh-oon-DEE-dah ▶ ES

  A joint scraped back a set depth so the units cast a shadow line.

  Rake the joints a quarter inch deep and brush them before they harden. — Deja la junta rehundida un cuarto de pulgada y cepíllala antes de que endurezca.

  Also: junta rehundida (MX) · junta rehundida (general)

• rebar cell RÍ-bar sel ▶ EN
  celda con varilla SEL-dah kon vah-REE-yah ▶ ES

  A hollow block core that holds vertical rebar and gets filled with grout.

  Mark the rebar cells with chalk so nobody grouts the wrong ones. — Marca con gis las celdas con varilla para que nadie cuele las equivocadas.

  Also: celda con varilla (MX) · hueco reforzado (general)

• repointing ri-PÓIN-ting ▶ EN
  rejuntear reh-hoon-teh-AR ▶ ES

  To grind or chisel out failing mortar joints and pack in new mortar.

  Grind out three-quarters of an inch before repointing that wall. — Esmerila tres cuartos de pulgada antes de rejuntear ese muro.

  Also: rejuntear (MX) · reponer juntas (general)

• scaffold SKÁ-fold ▶ EN
  andamio ahn-DAH-myoh ▶ ES Safety-critical

  The temporary raised platform masons work from; it needs full planking, guardrails above ten feet, and a safe ladder or stair access.

  Nobody gets on the scaffold until the guardrails are up and it's tagged green. — Nadie se sube al andamio hasta que estén los barandales y tenga la etiqueta verde.

  Also: andamio (MX) · andamiaje (general) · andamio (PR)

• sill SIL ▶ EN
  repisa de ventana rreh-PEE-sah deh ven-TAH-nah ▶ ES

  The sloped masonry or stone piece at the bottom of a window opening that sheds water out.

  Set the sills with a good slope and full mortar under the ends. — Asienta las repisas con buena caída y con mortero lleno bajo los extremos.

  Also: repisa (MX) · alféizar (general) · antepecho (PR)

• spalling SPÓ-ling ▶ EN
  descascaramiento des-kahs-kah-rah-MYEN-toh ▶ ES

  Chunks of brick, block, or mortar flaking off the face, usually from freeze-thaw or trapped moisture.

  The bottom three courses are spalling — we have to cut them out and replace them. — Las tres hiladas de abajo tienen descascaramiento; hay que sacarlas y reponerlas.

  Also: descascaramiento (MX) · desconchado (general) · desprendimiento (GT)

• stone veneer STÓUN ve-NÍR ▶ EN
  fachaleta de piedra fah-chah-LEH-tah deh PYEH-drah ▶ ES

  Thin natural stone set in mortar over a scratch coat or backer.

  Mix pieces from three pallets so the stone veneer doesn't blotch. — Revuelve piezas de tres tarimas para que la fachaleta de piedra no salga manchada.

  Also: fachaleta de piedra (MX) · revestimiento de piedra (general)

• story pole STÓR-i póul ▶ EN
  escantillón es-kahn-tee-YOHN ▶ ES

  A marked stick that shows the height of every course so all the coursing matches.

  Check the story pole every third course — we can't drift on window height. — Revisa el escantillón cada tres hiladas; no podemos desviarnos en la altura de la ventana.

  Also: escantillón (MX) · regla de hiladas (general) · regla maestra (GT)

• struck joint STROK yóint ▶ EN
  junta rasada HOON-tah rah-SAH-dah ▶ ES

  A joint cut off flush and sloped with the trowel edge instead of tooled round.

  The architect wants a struck joint on the site wall, not concave. — El arquitecto quiere junta rasada en la barda, no cóncava.

  Also: junta rasada (MX) · junta enrasada (general)

• through-wall flashing ZRU-uól FLÁ-shing ▶ EN
  tapajuntas pasa-muro tah-pah-HOON-tahs PAH-sah MOO-roh ▶ ES

  Flashing that runs completely through the wall and turns up on the back side so all the water gets out.

  Through-wall flashing has to extend past the face of the brick, not stop short. — El tapajuntas pasa-muro tiene que salir más allá de la cara del ladrillo, no quedarse corto.

  Also: tapajuntas pasa-muro (MX) · barrera de agua pasante (general)

• tooling TÚ-ling ▶ EN
  rayado de juntas rah-YAH-doh deh HOON-tahs ▶ ES

  Compacting and finishing the joints with a jointer once the mortar is thumbprint hard.

  Start tooling that wall now — the mud is ready. — Empieza el rayado de juntas en ese muro; la mezcla ya está lista.

  Also: rayar las juntas (MX) · acabado de juntas (general)

• trowel TRÁU-el ▶ EN
  cuchara de albañil koo-CHAH-rah deh ahl-bah-NYEEL ▶ ES

  The flat steel hand tool a mason uses to pick up, spread, and cut mortar.

  Grab an 11-inch trowel — that little one is too slow for block. — Agarra una cuchara de 11 pulgadas; esa chiquita es muy lenta para el block.

  Also: cuchara (MX) · paleta de albañil (general) · llana de albañil (PR)

• tuckpointing TOK-póin-ting ▶ EN
  reemboquillado de juntas reh-em-boh-kee-YAH-doh deh HOON-tahs ▶ ES

  Filling in cut-out joints with fresh mortar to renew the face of an old wall.

  That chimney needs tuckpointing before it takes another winter. — Esa chimenea necesita reemboquillado de juntas antes de que le pegue otro invierno.

  Also: emboquillado (MX) · rejuntado (general)

• veneer ve-NÍR ▶ EN
  fachaleta fah-chah-LEH-tah ▶ ES

  A non-structural facing of brick or stone anchored to the wall behind it.

  The veneer starts above the water table and runs to the soffit. — La fachaleta arranca arriba del repisón y sube hasta el plafón.

  Also: fachaleta (MX) · chapa (general) · revestimiento (PR)

• wall tie UÓL tái ▶ EN
  ancla de muro AHN-klah deh MOO-roh ▶ ES

  A metal anchor that ties a veneer or backup wythe to the wall behind it.

  Nail a wall tie every 16 inches vertically or the inspector will red-tag it. — Clava un ancla de muro cada 16 pulgadas a lo alto o el inspector nos va a parar la obra.

  Also: ancla de muro (MX) · amarre metálico (general) · amarre de pared (PR)

• wash down UÓSH dáun ▶ EN
  lavado del muro lah-VAH-doh del MOO-roh ▶ ES

  Cleaning mortar smears off the finished wall with water and a masonry cleaner.

  Soak the wall first, then do the wash down from the bottom up. — Primero moja bien el muro y luego haz el lavado de abajo hacia arriba.

  Also: lavado del muro (MX) · limpieza de fachada (general)

• water table UÓ-der TÉI-bol ▶ EN
  repisón rreh-pee-SOHN ▶ ES

  The projecting masonry ledge low on a wall that throws water clear of the foundation below.

  The brick steps back an inch at the water table, so watch your line there. — El ladrillo se mete una pulgada en el repisón, así que cuida el hilo ahí.

  Also: repisón (MX) · cornisa de arranque (general) · resalte de muro (GT)

• weep hole UÍIP jol ▶ EN
  lloradero yoh-rah-DEH-roh ▶ ES

  A small opening left in a head joint so water in the cavity can drain back out.

  Leave a weep hole every 32 inches on the course above the flashing. — Deja un lloradero cada 32 pulgadas en la hilada arriba del tapajuntas.

  Also: lloradero (MX) · orificio de drenaje (general) · respiradero (PR)

• wheelbarrow mixing UÍIL-ba-rou MIK-sing ▶ EN
  mezclar en carretilla mes-KLAR en kah-rreh-TEE-yah ▶ ES

  Mixing a small batch of mortar by hand in a wheelbarrow with a hoe instead of firing up the mixer.

  It's only six blocks left — just do wheelbarrow mixing and skip the mixer. — Nada más quedan seis blocks; mejor mezcla en carretilla y déjale a la revolvedora.

  Also: mezclar en carretilla (MX) · amasar a mano (general)

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