10 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Bricks

Ignoring the water source. Bricks made with saline, brackish water will bleed white powdery salt (shora) through plaster for years. Always confirm sweet-water manufacturing.

Accepting under-fired (pili) bricks. Bricks that are under-burned in the kiln are pale yellow-red, soft, and crumble when wet. Always test for a sharp metallic ring when two bricks are struck together.

Not testing water absorption. If a brick absorbs more than 20% of its dry weight in water, it will greedily suck moisture out of fresh cement mortar, weakening the wall bond.

Ordering the exact mathematical count without a wastage buffer. Bricks undergo minor transit breakage and on-site cuts. Always add a 5% to 8% contingency buffer using an online brick calculator.

Falling for "short count" truckloads. Unscrupulous middlemen often promise a low rate per thousand but deliver 1,700 bricks in a load billed for 2,000. Insist on stacked counting or verified weighbridge slips.

Ordering piecemeal in small batches. Sourcing 1,000 bricks today and another 1,500 two weeks later increases delivery costs and risks slight color variations between different kiln firings.

Forgetting about truck access on narrow residential roads. A 10-wheel heavy truck cannot navigate tight inner-city colonies. Coordinate tractor-trolleys for narrow plots.

Careless site dumping. Dumping bricks haphazardly off a high dumper bed can cause 10% to 15% unnecessary breakage. Arrange manual offloading or gentle tipping onto sand cushioning.

Using 1st Grade bricks everywhere or 2nd Grade bricks everywhere. Smart builders balance budgets: use 1st Grade for load-bearing exterior walls, and 2nd Grade for interior plastered room partitions.

Buying through unverified roadside dealers. Commission agents add ₹500 to ₹1,200 per thousand bricks without offering batch guarantees. Buying direct from the manufacturer saves money and gives you direct accountability.