Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Embedding Bricks in Concrete

I am having a new driveway poured and I would like to replicate my house number "3585" into the lower portion of the slab, using brick fragments and mortat to make up the 2' high numerals. How should one go about doing it?

I'm a little confused...You want to embed fragments into the freshly poured concrete so that when you look from above you can read your house number? And you want the numbers to be 2 feet?

I'm far from a concrete expert, but there seems to be a few issues that would need to be addressed. First question is whether to place the bricks before or after the concrete is poured. Put them in before and you've got to make sure they're exactly the same height as the slab, otherwise you either will bury them or they'll interfere with the screeding. Put them in afterwards and you're going to need to figure out a way to minimize the negative impact on the finish.

That question right there is enough to get me to rethink whether this is something I really want or not. Like I said, I'm far from an expert, so maybe others have some ideas that will work? Best of luck, and if you do go for it, be sure to give us a peek at the results!

Jeff

Jeff,

You have summarized the dilemma.

I thought that a mold would have to be made in the shape of the numbers, so that there is a void is the shape of the numeral and later the brick fragments were to be embedded and mortared over.

Please feel free to play devil's advocate.

G S.

Cut the numbers out of Styrofoam 4 inches thick. Apply masking tape to the exposed surfaces of the Styrofoam numbers. When the slab is poured have the numbers embed even with the top surface of the concrete. When the concrete sets you can dig the numbers out.

You can fill the voids partly with 2 -3 inches of concrete mix depending on the thickness of your piece. Stet in your broken brick. Let set at least a day then spread mortar mix in the voids between the brick pieces and wipe excess mortar off with a damp sponge. Same basic process as grouting tile.

I have taken broken ceramic tiles and embedded them into freshly poured concrete walkways to create an accent design. Is that something similar you had in mind, except using broken brick fragments? If so, how about using something thinner like brick pavers or even 1/2" clay tiles?

Ray and fxpose,

All very clever ideas, which I will present to the concrete contractor/brick mason, which is why 3 heads are better than 1.

Thanks again for your input!

RoseRx

I'll admit I havent had the pleasure of being that creative, but if you havent done it yet, I think I would wait til after its poured to have a nice finish to your driveway, then, while its green, I would mark out your numbers and simply cut the numbers out to a depth of 2 inches and use a thin version of real brick and lay it in. when its green it wont take much to chisel out the concrete after making a few relief cuts into the drive. good luck
ps, your mason should have a quickie saw and a peanut grinder... and of course chisels. lastly I'd use a HARD brick as in pavers... for permanency you want to use a material that is as hard or harder than the concrete.. It'll erode away eventually if you dont... lol probably not in your lifetime though.

cpm,

I thought of your idea too, as it would be tough to work with wet concrete, placing a mold to create the void for the numbers and making sure everything was straight and aligned. I'd planned on paver bricks too. May I pick your brain on another facet, turning down the concrete. Is it needed for a driveway to strengthen the borders?

All of you guys have offered sound suggestions, which I appreciate!