How are bricks made?
Bricks are made of clay. It is fine and sticky soil which becomes hard after baking. It is found on the beds of lakes and rivers.
To make bricks, first the clay is dug up and then ground in to small even particles. Next it is mixed with water to make it soft. The soft clay is put into a brick-making machine which shapes it in the form of bricks.
Soft bricks are then kept in the open to dry. Once the bricks are dry, they are baked inside a furnace. The furnace or oven used to bake bricks is called a kiln. It is a big chamber with fire burning inside it. The process of baking bricks is called firing. Bricks, when baked, become very strong and durable.
Houses –then and now
Earlier, houses were made of mud and had thatched roofs. The walls were made of mud and bamboo and the floors had stone slabs. Doors and windows were made of wood.
Houses today are made of strong and durable materials like bricks and cement. They last for a long time and require fewer repairs. Walls are plastered with cement and then coated with waterproof paint. Marble or granite tiles are used to make the floor. Materials like glass and plywood are used for doors and windows.
Constructing a house
The architect draws the design of the house. It is called a plan. The plan shows the layout of the house with its rooms, doors, windows and open areas.
Once the plan is approved, the mason starts work on the house. His work is to build the pillars, walls and roof of the house. He uses a trowel o spread motor over the bricks. The plumb line helps him to ensure that the walls are built straight. Unskilled laborers help the mason to make motor and lay the bricks.
The electrician installs electric wires and fixes plugs, switches, lights and fans. He uses a screwdriver, soldering iron and pliers. The handles of these tools have a rubber cover to protect the electrician from an electric shock.
The plumber fits water pipes, taps and sanitary wares. He uses a pliers, wrench, pipe cutter and hammer.
The painter paints the walls. He works with brushes, paints, spray gums and rollers.