r/oddlysatisfying 1d ago

some bricklaying goodness

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

(meant to upload 3 videos but can only upload 1)

18.9k Upvotes

355 comments sorted by

1.2k

u/NotSure___ 1d ago

The second one with the mortar that was not flushed to the outside is slightly unsatisfying.

184

u/NotTukTukPirate 1d ago

Yeah I'm glad someone else saw that. As someone who has done a lot of bricklaying and labouring in the past, I found this all very unsatisfying

50

u/_Burnt_Toast_3 1d ago

As someone who has seen quality brick laying, I also found this unsatisfying.

42

u/garg0n01 1d ago

As someone who has consistently been unsatisfied in life, I find this whole scenario entirely unsatisfying.

8

u/Piper2000ca 19h ago

As someone who had been consistently unsatisfying to others his whole life, I find this whole scenario entirely unsatisfying.

2

u/Oberonkin 4h ago

As someone who finds satisfaction in unsatisfactory situations, I dont like it

8

u/Pagise 1d ago

As someone who has done a lot of laying, I found this all very unsatisfying.

→ More replies (1)

4

u/johnnymetoo 1d ago

I saw it too lol.

→ More replies (2)

33

u/Blurgas 1d ago

Goobered so much on the brick and still fell short.

Fifth clip with the longboi bricks looked a bit skimp in the mortar in a few spots.

16

u/LucyLilium92 1d ago

Last one already had parts where there were holes in the mortar

→ More replies (1)

13

u/filtersweep 1d ago

Yeah- I hate these vids where they act like quick movements are a sign of skill, quality, or experience. There was a lot of slop here.

7

u/ryanvango 1d ago

same for the long boys. the horizontal ones were all over the place for grout thickness

3

u/Zigonneuse 1d ago

Yep, instant downvote for me.

→ More replies (14)

544

u/tkondaks 1d ago

What about the other side?

411

u/Traditional_Gift8391 1d ago

It gets insulated and never seen again

150

u/fluoxoz 1d ago

Except when you try to run cables and keep snagging on the mortar

57

u/created4this 1d ago edited 1d ago

Certainly in the UK, you're not meant to run cables in the void.

And most of these clips look like they are from the UK

4

u/Ditchdigger456 1d ago

where are you meant to run cables?

19

u/UnderstandingEasy856 1d ago edited 1d ago

The brickwork you see is just for aesthetics/weather proofing. There is typically a second brick or block wall behind it that is load bearing, and cables are run in "chases" chiseled into the inside face of that inner wall. Electrical wiring is not installed in the "cavity" between the two walls as otherwise you'll never be able to service it.

7

u/Ditchdigger456 1d ago

That’s interesting. I imagine it’s easier to get in there here in the US since we use sheetrock and you can just cut a hole and patch it, or just replace a whole section for larger repairs.

6

u/UnderstandingEasy856 1d ago edited 1d ago

In timber construction they feed wires between wall studs and before installing plasterboard (aka "sheetrock" "drywall"), exactly the same as in the US.

However wood is not a common construction material, accounting for something like 10% of new construction in England, where most buildings, whether residential or commercial, existing or new, are masonry.

2

u/Ditchdigger456 1d ago

I love the small differences in culture among the larger ones.

Funnily enough, I did know about most homes in the UK (and I believe in Europe in general?) were brick. Mostly from growing up listening to the dubliners and wondering who “McAlpine” was lol.

Just never thought about the wiring being different.

2

u/tereaper576 20h ago

I havent a clue what its like in pommy land but here in NZ
Claddings go infront of a void and are to direct a *majority* of water away.
behind the claddings is building wrap which is breathable but keeps water out so
Water that gets behind the cladding goes down a void and whatevers left after the rain can dry out.

19

u/satantherainbowfairy 1d ago

Not sure how it works in new builds but in most houses round here the interior walls are all plastered (rather than plaster board), and cables run through the ceiling and then are chased into the plaster

5

u/created4this 1d ago

Typically in a modern UK house (for the last 50 years) the walls are brick, followed by a cavity with insulation, followed by breeze block (a type of roam concrete block that is grey), the wires are run on the inside of the breeze, and then plasterboard is stuck to the block by dabs of adhesive which hold the plasterboard about an inch from the block. Supporting interior walls are made the same way. Non-supporting Interior walls are wood frame with plasterboard screwed to them.

Cables are clipped to the breeze every foot or so before the plasterboard is added but rewires often just pull cables through the gap because nobody can see you're not following the guidance.

Older houses (anything since WW1) have plaster on bonding later direct to breeze block, cables are usually tacked behind capping (plastic or metal trim) which is then plastered over. If you're lucky then you might be able to pull a rewire through the capping, but usually you can expect to excavate the plaster and bonding.

In houses older than that wiring is often found in surface trunking, but what has happened in a house built in the 1600's is anyones guess!

3

u/Big_Target_1405 13h ago

Well, back in the 1600s they ran all their wiring downward into the basement where they kept the horse powered generator

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

48

u/bridwats 1d ago

Why are you running cables between the envelope and the brick?

68

u/siccoblue 1d ago

Because he made up a situation to try and convince people that they should be irritated by this.

8

u/DrKapow 1d ago

Would someone please think of the cables

2

u/JerikOhe 1d ago

Here's one I ran into recently. Camera run for a front porch with no preexisting cable. Come from the attic down between the brick/stone facade and the exterior wall. You could go down a stud bay, but then you have to worry about existing wiring and fire blocking. Normally not too much of an issue, you can just map out any potential wiring and drill through fire blocking, but in this case the top plate was 2 stories above the required camera demarc (one of those huge arch style entry ways) so any blocking would require a 12' or longer drill bit that is not something we have ready access to. We could also potentially rip out drywall if needed, but neither we nor clients want that to have to happen. It was 3 hours in an attic in August in texas, and it was annoying.

Definitely not something that comes up frequently enough to get into a huff over though. Plus we did it successfully, so that's always a nice feeling.

3

u/fluoxoz 1d ago

We have double brick here, between the two layers of brick is just an air gap which is great to drop cables down later.

3

u/Legitimate_Mud_8295 1d ago

Incorrect. I hear there's a cask of amontillado in there. You should go and check 😬

→ More replies (2)

3

u/Dilectus3010 1d ago

No one ever did that or will do that.

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (2)

9

u/iwantanxboxplease 1d ago

Isn't there a lot of excess mortar that can be picked and reused? I guess it's not that valuable or important but seems like a waste.

5

u/Dick_Demon 21h ago

Mortar is cheap. Labor is expensive. Pay him to lay brick.

0

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

20

u/leupboat420smkeit 1d ago

Thank you, mortar usage police.

4

u/PrestigiousMango7117 1d ago

We gotta keep the streets safe from excessive buttering,one joint at a time.

13

u/tkondaks 1d ago

I guess the calculation was: what's more expensive: the additional labor cost to scrape up the excess mortar on the other side? Or the excess mortar?

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

9

u/StuBidasol 1d ago

That was my thought through the whole clip.

7

u/call_of_the_while 1d ago

They’re probably using bricks as well.

→ More replies (13)

331

u/AmputatedStumps 1d ago

At 0:36, that's the first time I ever seen a long boy

54

u/Fresh-Chemical-9084 1d ago

Time to go show my wife -- longer is not always better.

3

u/Regurgitator001 1d ago

I really should call your wife her.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

8

u/CaptainNessy2 1d ago

Layin brick the loooong way

3

u/LightofNew 1d ago

Oh looooooog boy.

→ More replies (5)

139

u/EchoXrayNiner 1d ago

12

u/PolrBearHair 1d ago

Is there a reason this had to be a video instead of a picture?

20

u/EchoXrayNiner 1d ago

Had to be creative 'cuz the sub doesn't allow images for some reason or another.

5

u/PolrBearHair 21h ago

Ah, that makes more sense

6

u/gin_and_toxic 15h ago

Oddly unsatisfying rule

5

u/wisteria357 1d ago

Doesn’t seem to be an option to upload a photo. Only video or gif.

9

u/pocketrob 19h ago

The Internet is a beautiful place. Thank you for this r/KitchenConfidential callback! It made me smile! #LongLiveChiveGuy

62

u/Btps_ 1d ago

Why it looks so edible

56

u/Bitter-Ad5890 1d ago

Everything is edible once

3

u/smzt 1d ago

Peanut butter

3

u/bam1007 1d ago

Forbidden frosting.

→ More replies (4)

25

u/HomicidalHushPuppy 1d ago

That second one didn't have a fully packed joint on the right. I'm out. 

41

u/Tiffany_Pratchett 1d ago

I wonder if they’re good at icing cakes too?

4

u/egewh 1d ago

I was thinking the exact same thing, this looks like icing a multiple tiered cake 😅 Especially the one with the orange mortar, I was like 'ohh orange flavored filling'

6

u/TheFrenchSavage 1d ago

Yes, I think the skill transfers there.

But in baking, you have to do your own bricks.
And they should be soft and moist, not brick like.

Also, you don't make the butter cream in a massive concrete mixer.

So there are some differences.


Nonetheless, interesting view to think of houses as stone-cakes.

→ More replies (2)

3

u/mirthlessbastard 1d ago

One of my friends who used to work as a labourer while training to be a chef said that plastering is just like icing a cake

→ More replies (1)

10

u/Disparaged_soul 1d ago

I’m basically a bricklayer after watching this.

16

u/SpicedSugarSienna 1d ago

4

u/DEATHWISH6666 1d ago

Uh? A apple

2

u/ZDTreefur 1d ago

That guy ate that apple in the absolute coolest way to me as a kid.

22

u/Easy_Lengthiness7179 1d ago

Why do we never see them scrape the "other" side? Seems it would be just a mess on the other side.

27

u/Roses030 1d ago

Because it doesn't matter, only the finish side needs that care. In the inside is either insulated over or an air gap for an interior finish face. Unless it's monolithic masonry then both sides would be considered a finish face but you really dont see that done anymore outside of historic presentation

6

u/mikemikemotorboat 1d ago

Because it would take a lot longer to build for no benefit. Aesthetics on the side that will never be seen is not a design constraint we need to worry about

5

u/D-Ursuul 1d ago

....who cares when nobody will ever see it?

8

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

17

u/According_Register55 1d ago

You don’t know why?

3

u/flinsypop 1d ago

It doesn't even matter how hard you try. Keep that in mind.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

7

u/Tikkinger 1d ago

First clip, what's the benefit of the white foam(?) Stripe in the wall?

8

u/Bloomfield95 1d ago

Expansion joint. Allows for movement in the building and prevents cracking

6

u/JohnLef 23h ago

My grandfather is currently spinning in his grave over this absolutely shockingly poor brickwork.

5

u/WarhammerRyan 1d ago

Forbidden cake

4

u/Beliskner64 1d ago

Is the goodness here in the room with us?

12

u/Gman325 1d ago

As someone in an earthquake-prone area, 🫪

9

u/NoratiousB 1d ago

Please elaborate

21

u/Gman325 1d ago

Unreinforced masonry in structures is extremely vulnerable to earthquake-driven collapse.  I see no rebar running through these bricks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unreinforced_masonry_building

36

u/demon_fae 1d ago

There’s a reason New England is known for lovely old brick buildings, and San Francisco is not.

9

u/Blurgas 1d ago

Gets silly seeing people poke fun at the US for using wood framing.
According to a map I found from the USGS the US has a bunch of smaller fault lines all over the western third of the country, and a handful around the Mississippi River near Missouri/Tennessee.
Wood is cheap, fairly plentiful, cheap/easy to transport and/or build with, etc.
I wonder how much a tornado-proof house made of brick would cost.

3

u/demon_fae 1d ago

Tectonically speaking, North America only refers to the bit east of the Rockies. The entire western half of the continent is a jigsaw puzzle of smaller tectonic plates, held together by a network of melange zones, which really just means geologically significant gravel pits.

6

u/NoratiousB 1d ago

Thank you so much. This kind of masonry is the default here in Germany but we only have very few areas where even little seismic shifts are being measured.

2

u/Gman325 1d ago

Earthquakes are the natural disaster with the highest death toll historically.  Seismic retrofitting on old buildings and earthquake-minded engineering on new buildings are cutting it down. But a lot of old buildings are still at risk in some places.  My city used to keep a running list of at-risk structures so people could make informed decisions when renting, etc.

3

u/Depth_Metal 1d ago

Mmm, forbidden frosting 🤤

3

u/poweredthunderthighs 1d ago

Red goop is best goop!

3

u/PraetorOjoalvirus 1d ago

Red clay dyed mortar looks awful.

3

u/RedShiftedTime 23h ago

I'm glad there's people that enjoy being Masons because I sure as shit couldn't do it. Looks boring and tedious as hell.

2

u/2rot 1d ago

Wait. I go n get some popcorn

2

u/AvailableRecording26 1d ago

I really enjoyed this.

2

u/everydayasl 1d ago

Mesmerizing and relaxing.

2

u/Mrjeeves2131TTV 1d ago

I love that line baby!

2

u/ProfessionalTowel776 1d ago

Skills that pay the bills

2

u/Important_Article698 1d ago

Can’t beat a good bricky

2

u/p-fields 1d ago

The first ones set the bar too high

2

u/Elvaron_heredia_1996 1d ago

Conrazon es que las casas se caen solas eso no sirve para una casa aquí en República Dominicana construimos con algo más fuerte

→ More replies (1)

2

u/Deathpoopdeathloop 1d ago

I didn't expect the longboi bricks

2

u/hrodrig 1d ago

Seems they rarely clean the far side. Why?

6

u/Cool-Mom-Lover 1d ago

More work. No reason to clean it if nobody will ever see it.

2

u/TheBulleee 1d ago

Why only scrape 1 side?

2

u/ryanasimov 1d ago

The consistent mortar thickness that skilled bricklayers are able to maintain is always impressive.

2

u/scruffy69 1d ago

As someone who did brickwork for the first time this year, these guys make it look way easier than it is in real life. Firstly, getting the mortar that perfect consistency is a challenge, then developing the muscle memory to slop on the mortar and place the bricks perfectly everytime...wow. Pretty cool to watch.

2

u/saja25 1d ago

Do they also clean up the back or only if it’s going to be seen as well?

2

u/NowieTends 1d ago

Was not expecting longbrick

2

u/amateurviking 1d ago

Why no scrape inside but scrape outside? Inside mortar make mess or no?

2

u/spaceman_spiffy 1d ago

I do love me some brick glue.

2

u/SkyKnight3 18h ago

I could watch people laying bricks all day long and never get bored. Might also explain why I was so many Angel Reese games.

2

u/samuelandsienna 11h ago

Why does this actually look like fun 😅

→ More replies (1)

2

u/anwright1371 10h ago

Going from 1 to 2 was a serious downer

2

u/Superuzer 1d ago

I never see new construction that uses bricks.

5

u/Diligent-Lettuce-455 1d ago

Cost. It's almost always VE'd out of my projects.

2

u/socialnerd09 1d ago

First too seem excessively sloppy

2

u/CharmingTuber 1d ago

I think experienced bricklayers know exactly how much mortar to use so it doesn't spill out the sides like a smooshed Oreo. I'm guessing these guys are doing this to be silly, since it's being filmed.

→ More replies (2)

1

u/articland05_reddit 1d ago

look like chocolate and strawberry cream

1

u/WangtaWang 1d ago

Isn’t that super long brick cheating?

1

u/_fronten_ 1d ago

everything reminds me of her

1

u/BaalDoom 1d ago

Ah, guidelines. So that's how you make them look like you were sober when making them.

1

u/Normal-Error-6343 1d ago

I wonder what his toast looks like

1

u/saraseitor 1d ago

never saw red concrete before

1

u/D-Train0000 1d ago

It is really the only way

1

u/Alarming-Mirror-7338 1d ago

U my friend are badass

1

u/Nyarro 1d ago

This makes me feel the need to go to bathroom.

1

u/BearKatFarmer 1d ago

I think I would really like that job. As long as it wasn't really hot or cold. I didn't have to get up too early and no one was rushing me.

1

u/Siberwulf 1d ago

I should call her

1

u/Mudivator 1d ago

Satisfying to watch but that sound is atrocious

1

u/12thsspanzer 1d ago

Laying with a Bullnosed trowel !!!!! Fair play

1

u/jxj24 1d ago

For some reason, now I want an ice-cream sandwich.

1

u/Dd_8630 1d ago

Mmm forbidden buttercream

1

u/itsactuallynot 1d ago

TIL that bricks are not solid blocks of clay.

1

u/dtb1987 1d ago

Masons saw playdough as a kid and said "that's what I want to do"

1

u/ApprehensiveEgg2344 1d ago

This makes me want Nutella

1

u/Sky_runne 1d ago

Nothing better than buttering a brick!

1

u/aegrotatio 1d ago

Pointing bricks is so satisfying to watch.
You made my day!

1

u/East_Pie_3825 1d ago

You’re inspiring me to lay some bricks of my own…

1

u/dwiri 1d ago

I could not deal with that scraping sensation all day

1

u/ProfessionalRandom21 1d ago

do they wait for subsequent layer to dry before next layer?

→ More replies (1)

1

u/acidicgumdrops 1d ago

The forbidden icing

1

u/Trying2BMe0722 1d ago

Oddly satisfying ✔️
Also watching this for inspiration while I sit on the toilet.

1

u/DamnOdd 1d ago

We couldn't find a brick mason that would take our small job, hell there were only like two in a hundred mile area, many had retired.
We did it ourselves and it shows.

If I were 50 years younger...

1

u/AGayThrow_Away 1d ago

My grandfather was a bricklayer/mason and he always told me, "If you want to become a bricklayer, I'll break all your fingers". It was super rough on his hands, I remember one of his fingers was crooked. Middle finger last knuckle was z shaped. He had a lot of pride about it at the same time, he loved seeing all the buildings he laid the brick on.

1

u/ClairetinOre 1d ago

Just goes to show. If it ain't gushing, you don't got enough lube for bricking up

1

u/userpelicanvoyager2 1d ago

Just wait until AI takes their job!

1

u/punsnguns 1d ago

That's NSFW! We are watching others getting laid.

1

u/GaryTheRetard 1d ago

IF you mute this video its satisfying lol, I hate the sound of somethign scraping ouffffff

1

u/KurlyKayla 1d ago

Some of these guys would make for great cake decorators

1

u/MoveOverBieber 1d ago

Why am I thinking of cake now??

1

u/jerryleebee 1d ago

I've never seen brick-coloured mortar before!

1

u/Mazzaroppi 1d ago

The bricklaying at 0:41 is sihk

1

u/Hikikomori_Otaku 1d ago

Dads people have a lot of masons/brick/tile layers, some of the most foul mouthed, good intentioned, dangerous people I've met. Difficult profession.

1

u/GirlWithWolf 1d ago

That’s more satisfying than popping an enormous nose zit.

1

u/Hawkwise83 1d ago

I more or less do this in 3D on a computer and I am honestly in awe of people who do this IRL. It's sooooo easy to be off just a little bit and that compounds and fucks you over later. Kudos to brick layers. You don't get the respect you deserve.

https://giphy.com/gifs/3o6YfXtqIrtPrApeuI

1

u/anonuemus 1d ago

uh yeah, I could watch that a while

1

u/dprophet34 1d ago

A few of those look terrible

1

u/Leon_Flux 1d ago

Some are really good, some are really bad.

You can tell the ones just doing it, and the ones that care enough to get the grouting uniform.

1

u/PetiteLovePartners 1d ago

You sir, are a master at your craft.

1

u/KrownX 1d ago

What was that huge brick? Seems extra inefficient to build with those.

1

u/writeronthemoon 1d ago

<insert lewd poop joke>

1

u/theneed80g 1d ago

Nobody ever cares to clean the other side

1

u/wspaley 1d ago

When I was a young lad, I would hang around my uncles job sites and watch the mason do the chimney work 👊🏻💯

1

u/PoultryTM 1d ago

I would get cement on every, i mean every stond on the side visible....

1

u/Kastoook 1d ago

First two did not jammed any substances on the right sides

1

u/Spirited_Diver1677 1d ago

that perfect line of mortar is so satisfying to watch

1

u/bluearth 1d ago

TIL long brick and red mortar exists

1

u/Life-Suit1895 1d ago

You could say they were brickslaying it.

1

u/Fienna-velle7 1d ago

sooo satisfying to watch i must really hope to witness this irl:)

1

u/VegaJuniper 1d ago

For the love of God Montresor!

1

u/gentlehands36 1d ago

Deliciously therapeutic to watch.

1

u/superluminal 1d ago

Mmmmm...forbidden frosting

1

u/igornvidal 1d ago

Pergunta honesta: porque não limpam a parte de trás dos tijolos, mas somente a frente?

1

u/MathematicianOk5608 1d ago

I will huff and I will puff and I will blow your house down

1

u/musicaleffervescence 1d ago

just one bite of the forbidden ice cream

1

u/chosenfonder 1d ago

I never understood how this is economical. Takes forever to build a wall this way. Nobody found a way to speed this shit up? Surely you can build "slabs" in factories for larger facades?

1

u/wyvern_rider 1d ago

It always looks so tasty…

3

u/katiebo444 1d ago

Makes me think of frosting. Mmmm

1

u/ecctt2000 M4T 1d ago

Guessing this is a lot harder than these artisans make it look

1

u/Imaginary_Cicada_678 1d ago

I saw other side for a second 😅

1

u/GotSomeUpdogOnUrFace 1d ago

So, what about the other side is there no overflow on it?

→ More replies (3)

1

u/SneakWhisper 1d ago

Archaeologists of the future will carbon date the wall via beard hairs trapped in the mortar.