How to Do Brick Laying

Brick laying takes skill learned over many years.

Brick laying is a learned skill that takes time to master. An efficient brick layer is one who uses each motion to further his goal. The most fundamental key to laying brick is the mortar. If the mortar is not mixed properly, either too thick or to runny, it will not sit on the trowel or the block correctly. Once the mortar is mixed properly, then it is possible to establish the procedure for brick laying that works best for you.

Things You'll Need

• Goggles
• Gloves
• Mortar
• Hoe
• Wheelbarrow
• Water
• Shovel
• Brick
• Trowel
• Mortar board
• Level
• Stakes
• Braided nylon line
• Jointer

Instructions

1. Mix the mortar in the wheelbarrow with a hoe according to the package directions. Wear goggles and gloves while mixing. When the mortar reaches the proper consistency --- like custard --- use a shovel to make a pile of mortar on the mortar board.

2. Make a mortar bed about 5/8 to 3/4 of an inch thick. When dry this will compress to 3/8 of an inch. This is the underlay for the brick. Fill the trowel with mortar and, with a flicking motion, slap the mortar onto the bed. Use one edge and the bottom to smooth the bed.

3. Pick up a brick with the hand not holding the trowel. Use the tip trowel to pick up just enough mortar to put a glob on the end of the brick with a downward stroke. Lay the brick on the mortar bed with the mortar just applied facing the next brick to be laid. Use a spacer, something that is 3/8 of an inch wide, and put on another brick without using mortar. Continue dry-laying brick until reaching the end of the project or a corner. Make sure the bricks are level and even with the string. When the bricks are level, use mortar on the last brick's end in the amount of space left. Repeat down the line by tilting the brick upward and placing mortar, replacing the brick in its place. Tap the brick into place with the trowel. Scrape the edges of the brick to remove excess mortar and use it for the next brick. After each brick has mortar, check the line again to make sure they are level. To adjust, use the handle of the trowel to tap the corners of the brick down until level.

4. Use the 3/8-inch spacer to find the height of the next course of brick and raise the string to that level.

   Put mortar on the trowel from the tip to the tail that covers about half the width of the trowel. In a downward motion, scrape the mortar onto the first course of brick. Pick up a brick, use the trowel to apply a lump of mortar to the end to make a head joint and place the brick on the first layer. Tap into place with the trowel and scrape the sides of excess mortar. Repeat with another brick and continue down the line for the second course. Every few bricks, use the jointer to make a concave indention into the mortar that is commonly seen. You can also use the jointer to fill in any gaps in the mortar you may see.

5. Repeat courses until the project is as tall as desired. Check at each finished course that the brick is still level and straight.

Tips & Warnings

• If the mortar weeps, or seeps excess moisture, lay another few courses and joint when it is a little more dry.

• Different bricks will absorb moisture at different rates. Check with the store to see if they need to be watered before being laid.

References

• How to Lay Brick: Laying Brick
• Mother Earth News: Bricklaying for the Do-It-Yourselfer
• Masonry Work Tools: Bricklaying and Masonary

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• How to Lay Brick: Methods
• How to Lay Brick: How to Lay Brick