Things You'll Need
Pickax
Shovel
4-foot level
2-by-4 lumber
3-inch wood screws
Rebar
Rebar seats
Steel tie wire
A brick ledge is formed along with or separate from a concrete slab. The ledge will help support brick veneer that is installed on the exterior of a house or building that will sit on the concrete slab. If your slab has no brick ledge, you can form one in one to two days, depending on the size and scope of the project and your level of experience.
Step 1
Dig a trench beside the structure to which the brick ledge will be attached; normally, that would be a concrete slab or foundation. Dig the trench 6 inches deep and 12 inches wide. Place a 4-foot level in the bottom of the trench to check the grade. Level the trench by removing more soil if necessary.
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Step 2
Construct a box made from 2-by-4s that is 8 inches wide and as long as the brick ledge. For example, if your structure is 20 feet long, then make the box 8 inches wide, 20 feet long and 3.5 inches thick, which is the thickness of a 2-by-4. Connect the box at the corners with 3-inch wood screws. Set the box into the trench, and brace the sides with 2-by-4 stakes driven in the ground every 4 feet along the outside of the box.
Step 3
Add one piece of 1/2-inch rebar that extends the entire length of the ledge box. Place the rebar on 2-inch rebar seats. Because rebar comes in 10-foot lengths, you may need to add more than one piece. If so, then tie the rebar together at the connections with steel tie wire.
Step 4
Pour concrete into the brick ledge box slowly. Tap the side of the box with a hammer to remove any air pockets and to settle the gravel. Pour the concrete level with the top of the ledge box, and smooth the concrete with a concrete trowel. Rake off excess concrete with the trowel before beginning to smooth the pour. Let the concrete set for 30 minutes. Smooth the concrete further with the hand trowel. Remove the ledge box from around the dried concrete after 24 hours and fill in any voids with wet concrete.
Warning
Wear rubber gloves when pouring concrete.
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