Figure 4-14. - Making a closure joint in a header course.

stretcher course (fig. 4-15), using the same techniques as for a header course.

As we mentioned earlier, pointing is the filling of exposed joints with mortar immediately after laying a wall. You can also fill holes and correct defective mortar joints by pointing, using a pointing trowel.

Figure 4-15. - Making a closure joint in a stretcher course.

CUTTING BRICK

To cut a brick to an exact line, you should use a chisel (fig. 4-16), or brick set. The straight side of the cutting edge of the tool should face both the part of the brick to be saved and the bricklayer. One mason's hammer blow should break the brick. For extremely hard brick, first roughly cut it using the brick hammer,