How to Test the Quality of Red Bricks Before Use in Construction

Before using red bricks to build walls or foundations, it's crucial to ensure their quality. If the bricks used are brittle, not dense, or easily absorb water, the resulting structure can crack and deteriorate quickly.
Here are some simple ways to test the quality of red bricks before using them in a construction project.

1. Visual Inspection
The first and easiest step: check their physical appearance.

• The brick should be evenly red — a sign of perfect firing.
• The surface should be flat, hard, and not easily broken.
• The shape and size should be uniform for a neater wall.

If the color is too light or has blackish areas, the bricks may have been fired unevenly.

2. Soundness Test
Hold two bricks and tap them against each other.
If they produce a loud, vibrating sound, it's a sign that the bricks are solid and fully baked.
Conversely, if the sound is dull, the bricks are less strong due to the presence of air cavities.

3. Hardness Test
Scratch the surface of the brick with your fingernail or a sharp piece of metal.
If it scratches easily and the surface crumbles, it's low quality. Good bricks should be hard and resistant to erosion.

4. Drop Test
Drop a brick from a height of about 1 meter onto a hard surface.
A quality brick will only crack slightly, while a poor brick will usually break immediately. This test mimics field conditions, such as when a brick is dropped during transportation or installation.

5. Water Absorption Test
Soak a portion of the brick in water for 5–10 minutes, then observe how quickly the water rises.
If the water quickly absorbs to the top, it means the brick has large pores and high absorption capacity—which can waste cement and be susceptible to moisture.
Ideally, a brick should only absorb about 15–20% of its weight in water.

6. Compressive Strength Test
For large projects, a compression test is usually conducted in a laboratory using special equipment.
This test measures how well the brick can withstand compressive loads, which determines whether it is suitable for multi-story structures.

Conclusion
By conducting simple tests such as sound, hardness, and water absorption tests, you can ensure the red bricks you use are truly strong, dense, and durable.

If you're looking for high-quality red bricks with guaranteed quality for your home or large construction projects, PT Intisumber Bajasakti (ISBS) is ready to be your trusted supplier.

📞 Phone: 021-66675999
🌐 Web: intisumberbajasakti.com
✉️ Email: info@intisumberbajasakti.com

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