Roles

I have been at this for a long time, and a generation or two have come and gone since I started. I have worked with grandfathers, fathers, and now sons from the same family. I have seen similarities and differences. In one case, I saw a grandson believe h

It's the time of year when hunters, football, and pumpkin-flavored coffee become popular. For a mason contractor, this means that cold weather will soon be upon us, and we must prepare and be ready. In my shop, just like most of you, I have several types

Once again, the 2024 Mortar Net Solutions Masonry Apprentice Scholarships have been delivered to 40 apprentices across the country who have exhibited energy, ability and dedication to the trade. The scholarship Began in 2019 with four scholarships prese

I hope this article finds you finally cooled down from this hot summer. Everywhere I went felt hot and sticky, well, except for Bozeman, MT. When you are in Bozeman, everything is cool. I have been working as a laborer, sawman, brick washer, and bricklaye

As a masonry contractor, welding typically falls into two categories: fabrication or repair. Fabrication is when our certified welders make structural connections on the job site, and repairs are just that—fixing one of the hundred things that break every

As a masonry contractor, welding typically falls into two categories: fabrication or repair. Fabrication is when our certified welders make structural connections on the job site, and repairs are just that; when we have to fix one of the hundred things th

Fuels in our business are an expensive part of operating equipment. I am sure most of us have calculated daily usage and know what fuel we use in each piece of equipment. For example, do you use off-road diesel, kerosene, number one, or number two diesel?

I have had the fortune to work in several areas of masonry over the years and have seen a few things change. I am writing this for the older folks who have been around because, simply, I hope someone will enjoy it. I first got into the agriculture trade i

It is the time of year when summer gets crazy, and time off, schedules, and deadlines can make for some really stressful days. However, the Masonry Apprentice Scholarship is the opposite of stress—it is just a cool way of supporting younger folks who want

I still like doing projects that are new to me. Learning as I go still has that pressure that makes “making sure you have it right” more fun than if I have done something 100 times.

Fechino Files: Covering Your Work, Materials, and Other Lessons I Learned the Hard Way

Fechino Files: February 2024

Fechino Files: Happy New Year to You!

Fechino Files: Equipment Oil Testing and Why It Is Important

Fechino Files: Hydrofluoric Acid

Fechino Files: Hydrochloric Acid

Fechino Files: Understanding Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries

Fechino Files: Surface Energy As It Relates To Masonry

Fechino Files: Radon

Fechino Files: The Mortar Net Solutions Masonry Apprentice Scholarship

Fechino Files: Corner Poles

Fechino Files: Cleaning and Updating My Tool Bag

Information of Flashing Products

Fechino Files: Abbreviations

Fechino Files: Brick Bonds, Sometimes the Materials Design Your Projects

The Fechino Files: The Scholarship Program Grows

The Fechino Files: Conversations and Tips with Some Old Bricklayers

The Fechino Files: When School Administration Does Not Understand the Importance of the Trade

How Could Something Seemingly So Simple Get So Complicated?

The Fechino Files: Looking at Ventilation from a Different Angle

The Fechino Files: National Masonry Instructors Association 2022

The Fechino Files: Looking For Entries

Barriers

The Fechino Files: 12 Volt Batteries

The Fechino Files: Delivery Charges... Rising Fuel Costs Are Changing How We Do Business

The Fechino Files: Laying Out Brick

Pest Protection

The Fechino Files: Speed Square

Designing An Adhered Masonry Veneer

The Fechino Files: Framing Square

The Fechino Files: Starting Fluid

The Fechino Files: Sealant Basics

The Fechino Files: Mortar Net Solutions 2021 Masonry Apprentice Scholarship Awards

The Fechino Files: A Proactive Plan for Supply Chain Woes

The Fechino Files: Masonry Scholarships

The Fechino Files: So Much Has Changed

The Fechino Files: Summer Is Here

The Fechino Files: Sales

Air + Moisture Control

Jack Arches

The Fechino Files: Four Ways to Create Better Buildings through Compatible Materials

The Fechino Files: Arch, Step down, Counterflash

The Fechino Files: Lipped Brick Detail

The Fechino Files: I Just Need To Make It To The End Of The Season

The Fechino Files: Flood Rebuild

The Fechino Files: Setting Up Your Builders’ Level And Using It Effectively On A Project.

The Fechino Files: Resources

The Fechino Files: Masonry Tool Modifications On A Tight Budget

The Fechino Files: The Perfect Bologna Sandwich

The Fechino Files: Preparing Yourself for Situations You Know Will Occur

The Fechino Files: Estimating Window Openings

Designing an Adhered Masonry Veneer Part 4

Designing an Adhered Masonry Veneer – Part 3

The Fechino Files: Ethanol- What is it all About?

Flashing Components — Sponsored by Mortar Net Solutions

The Fechino Files: Importance of timesheets and daily reports 

The Fechino Files: Mentors

Steven Fechino is a new columnist for MASONRY and is providing tons of information on arches. Brush up on this great technique!

The Fechino Files: Arches

Designing an Adhered Masonry Veneer – Part 2

Designing an Adhered Masonry Veneer – Part 2

Designing an Adhered Masonry Veneer

Designing An Adhered Masonry Veneer Part 4

Designing an Adhered Masonry Veneer – Part 3

Designing an Adhered Masonry Veneer

Recovering from natural disasters could range from flood relief to rebuilding homes. Discover the repairing efforts after Hurricane Harvey in Houston.

Nearly 30 years ago, the National Masonry Instructors Association (NMIA) was formed to unify the masonry instructors across the country with up to date industry training standards.

Field Purchasing of Specified Products

Rainscreens can be designed with products and configurations that assist in creating both pressure-equalized and non-equalized or drained/back ventilated systems.

An adhered masonry veneer is a cost-effective way for a home owner or commercial property owner to keep the appearance of masonry in the façade.

When a discussion begins regarding cavity wall drainage, flashing or adhered veneer drainage, most of the time it begins with the saying, “Masonry leaks.”

A look at what anchors work, some we may not have considered, what’s new, and what should no longer be used.

Cultured stone has been around for a long time, and many of us have become quite proficient in installing the “lick-and-stick” products as part of an adhered veneer wall.

Flashing: Taking the time to make a difference

Education within the masonry industry will continue to evolve as new products, equipment and designs create the need for updated training.

With all the changes contractors must become experts on, the key to success hinges on every contractor having that one guy who will pull him through the project.

The energy code is important to all of us, because it is a positive step in the country’s reduction of energy consumption through design and construction.

Patching of masonry materials during a new construction project is typically a line item that was not planned during the estimating phase of the project.

The masonry industry is a proud group. As with all things, masonry has rules that will and will not change over time.

People with an interest in masonry often need help understanding new technologies, old traditions and why the architect even drew such a thing.

Moisture management: We all know the term, and we all know the processes and materials. But do we know if we are actually installing our work correctly?

The economic downfall is not directly related to how we individually run our businesses. It does, however, create opportunities for our businesses to be operated differently.