Experienced bricklayers when working with bricks use a number of tricks that make it easier to work and make the masonry much better than what could be "default". For example, for some reason, many craftsmen put bricks in the water before starting work, thereby causing genuine bewilderment among beginners and people who are not versed in the construction business. Such an action is performed by itself for a reason.
First of all, it is worth understanding what a brick really is. This is an artificial stone of the correct shape, made of mineral materials. Today there are a huge number of types of bricks. The production of the material is regulated by special GOSTs. Unfortunately, over the past two decades, the quality of bricks produced in the republics of the former Soviet Union has declined significantly. As a result, new problems emerged.
One of the main problems of most modern domestic bricks (especially cheap ones) is that the brick has become much better at absorbing water from the solution. This leads to the fact that the cement is no longer performing its functions so well, and later it begins to crumble. To prevent this from happening, it is customary to "soak" the building material in water before laying.
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If we go back to Soviet times, then in fairness it should be noted that the bricks were soaked even then. However, at that time, this operation was presented in textbooks not so much as strictly obligatory, as “recommended” for use. Moreover, all of the above applies only to red bricks. White brick, if you believe all the same Soviet textbooks, there is no need to soak because of the difference in production technology.
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So, red brick is made from ordinary clay, while white is made from quartz sand using lime. The difference between the two materials lies not only in raw materials, but also in technology. Red brick production is based on the conventional firing method. The production of sand-lime bricks is based on the autoclave method - molding and steam treatment.
If you want to know even more interesting things,
then it is worth reading about fantastic transformations that gave second life to abandoned structures.
Source: https://novate.ru/blogs/200420/54215/