Meklin Masonry Inc.

On-the-job Training

• Safety and Tool Training
  • Understand protective equipment, tool safety, and work area safety
  • Use and care of tools and equipment
• Mark Reference Points on Construction Area
  • Measure distances from reference point and mark guidelines to layout work, using plumb bobs, levels, and lasers
  • Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses
• Set Masonry Materials
  • Set stone or marble in place, according to layout or pattern
  • Install prefabricated masonry units
• Apply Mortar / Finish Work
  • Mix mortar or grout and pour or spread mortar or grout on marble slabs, stone, or foundation
  • Remove wedges, fill joints between stones, finish joints between stones, using a trowel and smooth the mortar to an attractive finish, using a tuck pointer, or whisk brush
  • Apple muriatic acid to clean surface and rinse with water
  • Seal exterior masonry with water proofing
• Repair Masonry
  • Examine brickwork or structure to determine need for repair
  • Repoint and re-lead existing chimney
  • Remove old stone and mortar using crow bar chipping gun or chisel
  • Remove loose material apply bond all, or wet surface to prepare for bonding
• Concrete
  • Set the forms that hold concrete to the desired pitch and depth and align them
  • Build wooden molds and clamp molds around area to be repaired, using hand tools
  • Spread, level, and smooth concrete, using rake, shovel, hand or power towel, hand or power screed, and float
  • Mold expansion joints and edges, using edging tools, jointers, and straightedge
  • Produce rough concrete surface, using broom
  • Install anchor bolts, steel plates, door sills, and other fixtures in freshly poured concrete or pattern or stamp the surface to provide a decorative finish
  • Cut out damaged areas, drill holes for reinforcing rods, and position reinforcing rods to repair concrete, using power saw and drill
  • Monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affect the curing of the concrete throughout the entire process
  • Signal truck driver to position truck to facilitate pouring concrete, and move chute to direct concrete on forms
• Smooth Surfaces with Abrasive Materials or Tools
  • Chip, scrape, and grind high spots, ridges, and rough projections to finish concrete, using pneumatic chisels, power grinders, or hand tools
• Mixing Materials
  • Mix cement, mortar, grout, or slurry using hoe, trowel, tamper, scraper, or concrete-mixing machine
• Hardscaping (Stonewalls, Retaining Walls, Patios, Walkways, Stairs)
  • Proper prep, grade, screeding of substrate prior to installation of stone or pavers
  • Operate power vibrator to compact material
  • Construction of dry stack or mortared stone walls
• Stone Shaping/ Finishing
  • Smooth, polish, and bevel surfaces, using hand tools and power tools
  • Thermal stone surfaces
• Brick and Block
  • Construct corners by fastening in plumb position a corner pole or building a corner of bricks/block, and filling in between the corners using a line from corner to corner to guide each course or layer of brick
  • Fasten or fuse brick to other building material to structure with wire clamps, anchor holes, torch, or cement
  • Remove excess mortar with trowels and hand tools, and finish mortar joints with barrel jointer for a sealed uniform appearance
  • Apply and smooth mortar or other mixture over work surface
• Cut Stone, Brick, or Other Masonry Materials
  • Break or cut bricks or blocks using trowel edge, hammer, or power saw
• Review Blueprints or Specifications to Estimate Materials for Projects
  • Interpret blueprints and drawings to determine specifications and to calculate the materials required
  • Estimate cost for bidding a job based on material and times
• Scaffolding
  • Set up and tear down staging/ ladders and planks
• Fireplaces and Chimneys
  • Build fire boxes with firebrick and throat, install damper, and clean out traps
  • Build chimney shell with brick or block and install flu using refractory cement
  • Make sure that the wood framing abutting the masonry adheres to all current fire codes; install fire stop
  • Install flashing to intergrade with roof
  • Install chimney caps
  • Parge top of chimney to seal flue and shell
• Stone Veneer
  • Properly prepare wood sheathing to receive stone veneer application
  • Apply mortar to stone and wall surface for proper adhesion of materials