How to build a wall

Here's how you build a wall; small or tall … .

Level of difficulty

Level 3: Advanced

What you need

• Gloves
• Goggles
• String line
• Pegs
• Builder's square
• Bricks
• Hammer
• Mortar
• Bricklaying trowel
• Spirit level
• Brick bolster

The steps to follow

Before you build your wall, check that a flat level foundation is in place.

1. Fasten string lines on pegs and stretch the string line across the foundation strip. This will serve as a guide in laying your bricks. If your wall includes a corner, add another string line perpendicular to the first. Use a builder’s square to verify that the corners are at 90 degrees.
2. Dry-lay the bricks to see if they fit. Leave a space of about 10 mm (3/8 in) between each brick. This is where the mortar will be applied.
3. Spread a mortar foundation along the line of the wall.
4. Set the first brick on this foundation and level it down into the mortar bed with the handle of your trowel.
5. Spread some mortar on both ends of the next brick and lay it in line with the first.
6. Push the two bricks together to leave a vertical joint of about 10 mm (3/8 in) thick between them.
7. Trim away any excess mortar.
8. After laying down two or three bricks, check that the tops are levelled with a spirit level. Level this course by tamping down with a soft faced hammer any bricks that are too high and/or by lifting any bricks that are too low.
9. Finish off the first course with a whole brick at the far end of the wall. Trim off any excess mortar with your trowel and scoop up any unwanted mortar from the foundation.
10. To lay the second course of bricks, stretch a string line along the footing to act as a guide line for the top corner of the first row of bricks.
11. Lay this course of brick and check with a spirit level to make sure it is level.

Note:
To strengthen the structure of the wall, the vertical joints between the bricks will need to be staggered from course to course.

12. Trim off any excess mortar with your trowel.
13. Repeat steps 10-12 until the wall is at your desired height.
14. Neaten the joints by drawing a piece of garden hose along the joint lines. This will leave a recessed concave joint.
15. Rake out excess mortar and smooth the recessed surface with a dowel.

Note:
You can use various bonding arrangements to build your wall. The three most common bricklaying bonds are: English bond, English garden wall bond, and Flemish bond.