Handyman Guide > Bricklaying

The mortar used for laying bricks is made with 1 part Portland cement to 3 parts clean sand. This mixture works easier if 10 per cent of lime is added. All mortar joints should be about 1/2 inch thick and the mortar should be packed in to fill the joint solidly. Many damp walls are caused by not completely packing the joints with mortar.

The brickwork should be laid on a solid footing and this must be at least equal in width to the wall that is to be built upon it. The footing should extend below the frost line. The top of the footing must be horizontal.

Before starting to lay the bricks it is a good idea to layout the first course on the footing, making allowance between each brick for the mortar, to determine whether or not any bricks will have to be cut. Cutting the bricks can be done with the hammer and cold chisel. The brieks should be wet before they are set in with the mortar. Either keep the bricks soaking in a large tub filled with water or have a garden hose handy and spray them down from time to time.

When you are ready to start laying the bricks, spread a bed of mortar on the foundation and work it level with the trowel. The horizontal mortar joint must be level throughout the construction. Take the first brick, cover one end with mortar and set it in place with the mortared end facing in the direction that the course is to be laid. Take up the second brick, spread the mortar on one end and set it down, with the dry end up, against the mortared face of the first brick. Continue this process along the entire course. Be sure to get each joint packed with mortar.

STRUCK JOINT

Avoid the necessity of having to move a brick, once it has been set in the mortar. The reason for this is that, if a brick is moved once the mortar has begun to set, the bond will not be perfect, and the slight crack that results will allow water to get into the wall.

The surplus mortar squeezed out of the horizontal joints should be picked up with the trowel and used for the bed of the next course.

There are several kinds of joints used for the face of a brick wall. The flush joint which is the easiest to make should not be used on' exterior work as it is inclined to absorb moisture.

FLUSH JOINT

If the top of a brick wall is exposed to the weather, it should be capped or topped with a rich cement mortar rounded slightly so that the water will drain off. If the top of a brick wali is not so protected, rain is sure to find openings in the joints and flow down into the wall.
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