The Ultimate Guide to Bricklaying
The Ultimate Guide to Bricklaying
Bricklaying is the backbone of most construction and home improvement projects, which is why knowing how to lay bricks is a crucial skill. By learning proper techniques with practice, you will be able to create your desired results by yourself.
One of the basics of bricklaying is knowing which types of bricks should be used for which purpose. The main options are common, facing and engineering bricks, and each type has its own suitability. You’ll also need to know which tools are needed for the job, such as a trowel, level and hammer.
If you’re new to bricklaying, it’s best to start with beginner projects, like learning how to build a brick wall. Eventually, with time and patience, you can improve your skills and take on more advanced tasks. Not only will you save money, but you can also take pride in your handiwork.
In this article, we provide a guide to bricklaying, including the tools, materials and process involved. We also discuss how to build a brick wall, garden wall and cavity wall, so you’re well-prepared for future projects
Shop Bricklaying Related Categories
Tools and materials for effective bricklaying
In order to lay your bricks, you’ll need certain bricklaying tools and materials. It’s better to select high-quality materials for better durability and finish. Here’s a list of the essentials you’ll need:
Materials
- Different types of bricks: Depending on your project, you can use common bricks to build a basic brick wall, engineering bricks for added strength, or facing bricks for aesthetics.
- Mortar: A mixture of cement, sand and water, all of which you’ll need to lay your bricks.
Tools
- Trowel: A tool used to spread mortar.
- Mortar board: Mixing and accessing mortar while working.
- Spirit level: Helps you check if your bricks are aligned.
- Cement mixers: Prepare your mortar by blending it thoroughly, or use buckets and paddle mixers.
- Tape measure: Guides in your precision.
- Brick jointer: Smooth out grooves between the bricks.
- Builder’s line and chalk: Aids in keeping your brickwork straight.
- Soft-bristled brush: Use to clean up the bricks once you’re done.
Understanding the bricklaying process
Before you start bricklaying, you’ll need to prepare the mortar mixture. As mentioned, mortar is a mixture of cement, sand and water, but there are specific ratios of cement to sand that you’ll need to consider. These ratios will also differ depending on the type of brick wall you build. With an incorrect ratio, it can make the mortar too runny or too thick, affecting the efficiency and safety of your brickwork.
Generally, the ratio for bricklaying is 1 part cement to 5 parts sand. However, you can adjust the amount of sand depending on how much load your wall will be bearing. If you need a sturdier wall, you can mix 1 part cement to 4 parts sand, and if not, you could use 1 part cement to 6 parts sand. You can also add hydrated lime to make the mixture easier to spread, as well as more flexible and durable. Use this table as reference:
|
Mix Type |
Cement |
Sand |
Hydrated Lime (Optional) |
|
Standard Mix |
1 |
5 |
— or 1 part |
|
Sturdier Mix |
1 |
4 |
— or 1 part |
|
Lighter Mix |
1 |
6 |
— or 1 part |
You can use a cement mixer, mortar board or a bucket to mix concrete in. First, add between 3-5L of water and hydrated lime if you’re using it. Mix this for a few minutes and then begin to add your sand. Again, mix for a few minutes while gradually adding more water until your sand and water mixture is smooth. Then, add in the cement and mix for another few minutes. Repeat these steps until you have enough mortar for your project.
Once your mortar is prepared, you can then move onto the bricklaying process. Use a trowel to pick up the mortar and spread a layer on where the foundation of your bricks will be. Then, lay your first course of bricks, with mortar in between each brick for a vertical joint. Check your brick course with a level to ensure they’re straight. For bricks which aren’t in place, use gentle pressure to reposition.
Stagger your courses of bricks alternately while maintaining the vertical joint. Make sure the mortar joints are consistent throughout and clean any excess. You can also use line and chalk to make sure your brick course is precise. Not only is this important for your brickwork to be visually appealing, but it’s also necessary for a structurally sound result.
How to build a brick wall
If you’re ready to build your first brick wall, follow these steps below:
Step 1. Wear Protective Gear
Practise safety first by wearing protective gloves and goggles while building your brick wall.
Step 2. Prepare and Level the Foundation
Prepare the foundation of your brick wall by ensuring its solid and level. You can then use a measuring tool to work out how many courses of bricks you’ll need.
Step 3. Gather Tools and Mix Mortar
Have your building tools ready, including the bricks, a trowel and spirit level, and create your mortar mixture so it has the right consistency for the job.
Step 4. Spread Mortar and Lay Bricks
Spread a layer of mortar onto the foundation using your trowel. Then, lay your first course of bricks in an even line.
Step 5. Use Line and Chalk
Use a line and chalk as a guide for precision as you continue to build your brick wall.
Step 6. Apply Mortar and Stagger Bricks
Apply mortar to the sides of each brick for a vertical joint, and stagger the bricks in every other course. Make sure your mortar joints are consistent.
Step 7. Messure, Mark and Cut Bricks
Cut bricks where you need to, such as at the end of the line, by measuring and marking, then using a chisel or grinder.
Step 8. Use a Level and Check Alignment
Use a level after each course to ensure the bricks are aligned, gently repositioning any that are not in place.
How to build a brick garden wall
Once you’ve built a basic brick wall, you can move onto building a brick garden wall. You’ll want to make sure it is not only aesthetic but also functional in its purpose of being secure. Here are the steps to build a brick garden wall:
Step 1. Decide Location of Wall
Check where you want to place your garden wall by measuring the height and length you want it to be.
Step 2. Dig Foundation and Fill with Concrete
Prepare by digging the foundation of where your garden brick wall will be, and fill it with concrete. This will help make your wall more sturdy.
Step 3. Spread Mortar and Lay Bricks
Spread a layer of mortar onto the foundation using your trowel. Then, lay your first course of bricks in an even line.
Step 4. Use Line and Chalk
Use lines and chalk as a guide for precision as you continue to build your brick garden wall.
Step 5. Apply Mortar and Stagger Bricks
Apply mortar to the sides of each brick for a vertical joint, staggering your bricks for each alternate course. Make sure your mortar joints are consistent.
Step 6. Use a Level and Check Alignment
Use a level after each course to ensure the bricks are aligned, gently repositioning any that are not in place.
Step 7. Decorate
Add some features to make your brick garden wall more decorative, like brick lighting for ambience in the evening, as well as added visibility.
How to build a cavity wall
Although it’s a bit trickier, you can learn how to build a cavity wall. Cavity walls have two layers, one on the outside and the other on the inside, and the gap between them is known as the cavity. Cavity walls provide thermal insulation and help to manage moisture in the building by preventing it from being absorbed into the wall. Here are the steps for building a cavity wall:
Step 1. Dig Foundation and Fill with Concrete
Prepare by digging the foundation of where your cavity wall will be and fill it with concrete. This will help support your inner and outer walls.
Step 2. Build Outer Wall and Leave Space
Build the outer wall, using lines and chalk to ensure it is aligned. Make sure to leave space between the walls for the cavity wall.
Step 3. Install a Damp Proof Course
If you’re working on a building’s wall, then you’ll need to install a damp proof course.
Step 4. Build Inner Wall
Build the inner wall. It may be easier to use blocks instead of bricks if you need to align your cavity wall with another wall.
Step 5. Use Wall Ties
Use wall ties to connect your inner and outer walls for a structurally stable result.
Step 6. Install Chosen Insulation
Install your chosen insulation to maintain heat and manage moisture.
Step 7. Check Alignment
Ensure proper alignment while building the walls, using line and chalk as well as checking with a level.
How to lay a brick wall: Key takeaways
With dedicated time and effort, as well as the right tools and materials, you can learn how to build a brick wall, a garden wall or a cavity wall. Bricklaying requires consistency and precision for a strong and aesthetic wall. There are specific steps to building different types of wall, and each one will help build an efficient and effective wall.
A key tip when performing the bricklaying process is to regularly stop and check if your brickwork is aligned. You can use a handful of tools, including line and chalk, a level and tape measure, to help your alignment. It’s important to utilise bricklaying tools to ensure proper technique and consistent results, so make sure you have what you need to get started.
There are different bricklaying patterns and bonding techniques, known as brick bonds, that you can implement, depending on your preference. The common brick bonds include stretcher bond, common bond, Flemish bond, English bond and header bonds. Each of these are suitable for varying purposes, from strength to aesthetics.