Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1889 — Bricklaying in Norway. [ARTICLE]

Bricklaying in Norway.

The singular fact is mentioned that while in Great Britain building operations are suspended on the slightest approach of frost bricklaying is carried on in Norway during almost the coldest weather that prevails anytime. Thus, in Christiania, building during the winter months, it is stated, has now been practiced for at least twelve years, but more frequently during the last five, all the buildings thus erected having stood remarkably well,Experience has not shown that walls built in winter exhibit, consequently, more dampness than those erected in summer. The reverse may be the case, since the difference between temperature of the air and of the mortar cools the latter by evaporation and takes away a great part of the moisture. According to the opinion of the principal builders in Christiana, bricklayers’ work executed with due care in winter, is really superior -to similar work done in summer—the whole art of such work in frosty weather consisting simply in the.use of unslacked lime, the mortar prepared with whiutQis to be made in small quantities immediately before use, the proportion of lime being increased as the thermometer falls; the only care required is to utilize the unslacked lime.so handily and quickly I as to enable the mortar to bind with the bricks before it cools. Another very important condition is that the bricks be always kept covered on the building site.