Used to build everything from walls to fireplaces to chimneys, brick is one of the oldest construction materials still in use today. Composed of sand, clay-bearing soil and lime, brick is cooked in a kiln to create a strong building material that can last for decades when bonded with mortar.
But what do you do with excess bricks after your construction job is complete? Brick recycling is one of the options you should consider. It involves putting leftover bricks to good use so that they don't end up in a local landfill along with other construction waste material.
Bricks can be recycled in a number of ways. Keeping reading to find out about a few common uses of recycled bricks.
1. Used in New Masonry Projects
One of the best ways to recycle bricks is to put them right back to work. For example, you can use the undamaged bricks leftover from your new house construction project to create a beautiful brick waterfall, walkway or outdoor fireplace. You can even make a garden bench using the bricks. What you can build with your reclaimed bricks is only limited by your creativity.
2. Used As Aggregate for Pavement Construction Projects
If you're planning to lay a driveway or walkway to connect your home interior with your outdoor spaces, old bricks can work well as an aggregate for your pavement construction job. The aggregate can be made by crushing broken or chipped bricks into smaller fragments. If you only have a few bricks at home, you can crush them using a hammer. If a significant amount of brick is involved, the best way to get the job done is to rent a brick crusher.
3. Used As Raw Material for Making New Bricks
Ever wondered what to do with the fine particles of brick that remain on the ground after you've removed all unused bricks and brick chips? If you know how to make bricks, you can use the fine material in place of sand, which is the main raw material in making bricks. In the end, you can create new bricks of high quality.
Brick recycling helps to divert unused or damaged bricks from landfill sites and also breathes new life into otherwise useless construction waste. If you want to know more about how you can recycle your bricks, feel free to talk to a business like Brajkovich Demolition & Salvage Pty Ltd that focuses on brick construction.