Thinking about laying bricks yourself? At first glance, it might seem straightforward, but think again. Without proper training, stacking bricks into a durable structure is no easy feat.
Many DIY enthusiasts overlook the complexities involved, especially when working with mortar, which can be both messy and risky.
Experts advise against building masonry walls over four feet tall on your own, not just for safety reasons but also to ensure a quality finish.
Before diving into your bricklaying project, consider the time and practice it takes to perfect this skill. It typically requires 40-50 hours of hands-on experience to build a wall that’s both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound.
Without this expertise, you might end up with a wall that doesn’t meet your expectations. So, ask yourself if you’re ready to invest the necessary time and effort or if it’s wiser to seek professional help.
1. Preparing Your Structure
Getting set up properly is crucial when laying brick. Careful planning and preparation can make the rest of the process smoother and result in a more durable structure.
Design Your Wall
Plotting the dimensions of your wall ensures a successful build. Use string, a level, and a tape measure to map out your wall’s size.
This helps you buy the right number of bricks and maintain level guidelines during construction. When purchasing bricks, account for mortar by adding about 0.5 inches to the brick’s size, unless they have a “nominal size” with mortar included. Always get 10-15% more bricks than calculations suggest as a buffer.
Pour the Foundation
Constructing a level concrete foundation is essential if there’s no existing slab or footing. It needs to be below the finished ground level so only the brick is visible.
Conduct a “dry run” with bricks to verify the foundation’s size. The foundation should match the length and height of your brick structure and be roughly 1 foot deep before adding concrete.
Let the concrete cure for 2-3 days, using this period to organize guides and gather materials.
Set Guideposts
For a straight and even wall, create guideposts. Use two long wooden boards anchored at your structure’s ends.
Mark the height of each brick and space for mortar with a tape measure from the foundation’s surface. Ensure both boards are marked equally, maintaining a straight line to guide you.
Generally, brick mortar joints are 3/8 inch thick, though queen and custom bricks might have different requirements.
Collect Materials
Gather all necessary materials close to your work area for efficiency once the mortar is mixed. Essential items include string, clamps or nails, a mixing bucket, a level, a brick jointer, and a club hammer.
A tape measure is vital for precise measurements. Only mix as much mortar as you can use before it hardens overnight.
Lay Out the First Row
Dry laying the first row of bricks helps in making necessary adjustments. This prevents later difficulties and noticeable imperfections.
Marking the foundation with a permanent marker eases the alignment of bricks, especially with standard brick sizes.
For new 8-inch bricks, mark every 22 centimeters; for reused 8.25-inch bricks, mark every 22.5 centimeters.
Prepare the Mortar
Mix mortar in a wheelbarrow for small projects, using three parts masonry sand to one part cement. Adding water creates a pudding-like consistency.
This balance avoids difficulties in setting bricks or them sagging. Mixing small amounts first allows you to adjust with more mortar or water as needed to achieve the right consistency.
Place Bricks and Mortar Boards
Arrange bricks and mortar boards so they’re within easy reach. Lay mixed mortar on plywood for accessible application.
Proper planning can place brick stacks at intervals for smooth progress, but a single pile with a mortar bucket suffices for smaller projects.
Keep a few shovels of mortar on each board, splashed with water first to maintain suitable wetness.
2. Laying the First Course
Securing a strong foundation starts with laying the first course of bricks. Precision in this initial step paves the way for a stable and uniform wall.
Begin at a Corner
Start at a corner. Use the trowel to scoop up a 4 to 6-inch (10.2 to 15.2 cm) mortar band about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick on the foundation.
Place the first brick in this mortar bed and tap it gently with the trowel handle. Ensure the brick is level and parallel to your wall line, with the edge plumb.
Continue with 6 to 8 more bricks, cutting away excess mortar with the trowel edge. This technique helps maintain a clean line.
Form a small indentation by pressing the mortar down to about a finger’s width, enhancing the classic brick finish.
Add 3/8″ of Mortar to the End
Attach the next brick by adding 3/8″ of mortar to the exposed end. Join each brick with a mortar slab, securing them on the foundation.
Excess mortar should be wiped away with a trowel or fingers and used to begin the next row. This ensures a tidy, cohesive look, while maintaining mortar availability for subsequent courses.
Check for Level
Use a spirit level to confirm the first row is even. Adjustments can be made while the mortar is wet, ensuring a level base.
Checking every 4-5 bricks optimizes alignment. A well-leveled mortar bed results in a superior wall structure. Prompt corrections prevent cascading issues as you progress.
Establish Guidelines
After completing the first row, fasten or nail a string between your guideposts to set subsequent row heights. Adjust guideposts to start with your first row’s height, maintaining consistency for all future rows.
Ensure the string is taut and confirm its straightness using a level. Move this line after each brick course. This method guarantees uniformity and structure integrity.
3. Laying Bricks
Laying bricks demands precision and practice to ensure a durable and attractive finish. By focusing on key techniques and careful attention to detail, you can achieve a professional-looking result.
Lay Multiple Courses
Start by placing several courses on each end of your wall, these are the “leads.” They set the structure for the entire wall.
Attach a builder’s line at the top of each lead brick as you continue, which keeps the remaining bricks aligned and level.
When working, you’ll notice the wall resembling a shallow “U” shape. This approach helps in keeping each course level as you build up both ends before filling in the middle with bricks.
Stagger the Joints
Staggering your bricks ensures a strong wall. Begin each course with a half or turned brick. When turning corners, set each course half a brick back from the previous one.
This staggering creates a more durable structure. To avoid weak joints, you can start with a half brick or turn a brick sideways when working with thicker walls.
Maintain Consistent Height
Use a spirit or carpenter’s level to ensure the height of the brick remains consistent throughout your wall. Keep head joints uniform as you progress.
The standard thickness for bed and head joints is around 3⁄8 inch. This can be adjusted to your preference to as much as 3⁄4 inch if desired for a particular aesthetic or structural requirement.
Finish Joints
Finishing the mortar joints is crucial for both aesthetics and longevity. Use a jointer or joint striker once the mortar sets.
This tool smooths the joints by running along them with its curved portion. If a jointer isn’t available, a wooden dowel or 1/2 inch copper pipe also works, providing a neat, rounded finish.
Clean the Brick Face
A foxtail brush helps in cleaning the brick face. Once the mortar is set enough to touch without indenting, brush away excess mortar to smooth the joints. It might take practice to perfect the timing, but this step is key to a clean final appearance.
Keep Laying Bricks
Continue laying bricks till they’re level with the established leads. Start again at the ends or corners when changing directions or building upward.
Establishing a rhythm makes the process more efficient, regardless of the structure being built. Move guidelines as necessary, set the mortar, stagger the first brick, wipe excess mortar, and always build from the outsides before filling in.
Things You’ll Need
Materials
- Mortar
- Masonry Sand
- Bricks
Tools
- Plywood for Mortar Boards
- Shovel
- Level
- Trowel
- Mortar Hoe
- Water Source
Additional Tools
- Foxtail Brush
- Pointing Tool or Joining Tool
Safety Gear (Optional but Recommended)
- Gloves
- Safety goggles
- Dust mask
