How to Build a Brick Wall

Building a brick wall can be a relatively simple skill to master as long as the fundamental techniques and skills are pay paid close attention to. Brick walling in stretcher bond (bricks laid along their length) offers a relatively strong structure coupled with a decorative appearance, depending on the chosen joint finish. The following steps offer a basic approach to constructing a wall in stretcher bond. 

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Steps

1. The most important part of any construction task is setting out properly, if this process is not carried out efficiently the likelihood of future mistakes increases. Assuming that a concrete foundation has been poured or their is an existing foundation, the first step is to dry bond the wall, a term used for laying down the first course of bricks without mortar joints to determine the bond. If an exact dimension is not required, it is recommended that the wall is set out to suit the bond being used, eliminating cuts under a half brick. When dry bonding ensure that the joints between each brick do not exceed 10mm, this can be gauged using the tip of the finger when the brick is placed down. If the wall has an exact dimension which must be honoured then its is best to place all cuts at one end of the bond as this ensures half bond is maintained throughout the wall.

2. Once the first course has been set out bricks should be laid at either end. First be sure to check the level of the foundation to determine your highest point. It is always best to perform any corrective work below ground level as it is never seen, therefore bed joints (horizontal joints) can vary to overcome bumps and uneven surfaces. The brick at either end should be level and plumb. Rather than construct a corner or one side of the wall it is best to string a line through the first course and lay the remainder of the bricks. The simplest way to set up a line and pins is to fix both pins at either end and place a brick over the line, setting it to the desired height. 

3. Either side of the wall can now be built up, simply by following the bond below, maintaining a lap of half a brick. This can be achieved by cutting a number of bricks in half (100mm), these are laid on top of the first full brick. When constructing either a corner or raking back never lay a length of bricks that exceed the length of the level as it becomes difficult to maintain accuracy when ranging through. Every course should be level and plumb with bed joints and vertical joints not exceeding 10mm as this provides a more desirable finish. After either side has been built the line and pins can be set up at each course and the remaining brickwork laid in, always making sure that the each brick is laid to the line. It is wise to check for plumb at a few points along the wall as the line is simply there as a guide. 

4. There are a variety of joint finishes which can be applied to a brick wall, the most common being half round jointed. This finish not only has a decorative appearance it also offers a good defence against the elements, such as rain and frost. To achieve a half round jointed finish, take your jointing iron and run it down the vertical joints first using the heel of iron when possible to prevent streaks. Follow this by jointing the bed joints making sure no holes form in the mortar. If the wall of reasonable size it is wise to joint up your work at regular intervals especially in warm weather as the mortar may dry out.  

Tips:

Ensure all joints are maintained at 10mm

Check the wall for level and plumb at regular intervals

Keep mortar smudging to a minimum

Take care when jointing