Installing brick with mortar involves preparing the area, mixing the mortar, and carefully laying bricks layer by layer, ensuring they are properly bonded and aligned with mortar joints.
Steps for Installing Brick with Mortar
Laying bricks requires a systematic approach to ensure the final structure is strong and visually appealing. Here's a breakdown of the key steps involved in installing bricks using mortar.
Prepare Your Workspace
- Ensure the foundation or base surface is clean, stable, and level. Any inconsistencies here will affect the entire wall.
- Gather all necessary tools and materials, including bricks, mortar mix, water, a mortar hoe or mixer, a trowel, a spirit level, and a jointer tool.
Mix the Mortar
- Follow the specific instructions on your mortar mix bag for the correct ratio of mix to water.
- Mix thoroughly until the mortar has a consistent, workable texture – it should hold its shape but be moist enough to spread easily (like thick peanut butter). Avoid making it too wet or too dry.
Lay the Mortar Bed
- Using your trowel, spread a uniform layer of mortar onto the prepared base where the first row (or course) of bricks will be laid. This is called the bed joint. The bed should be slightly wider than your bricks.
Laying the First Course of Bricks
The first course is critical as it dictates the line and level for subsequent courses.
- Place the brick in the mortar and press it firmly into place, ensuring it is fully embedded in the bed joint.
- Using a spirit level, take care to make it level both along its length and across its width, as well as aligned with any layout lines.
- Remove any mortar that squeezes out around the edges using your trowel.
Laying Subsequent Bricks
Continue laying bricks along the first course and build upwards, course by course.
- Grab the next brick and add mortar to the short edge (this is called buttering the end joint) before placing it down hard up against the first brick. This ensures a good bond between adjacent bricks.
- Tap it into place with the handle of your trowel until the brick is aligned with the course and the joint width is consistent (typically 10mm or 3/8 inch).
- Check the level and alignment frequently with your spirit level.
- Remove any excess mortar with your trowel immediately as you lay the brick. This keeps the work area clean and allows you to reuse the excess mortar.
- For subsequent courses, spread a new mortar bed on top of the previous course and lay the bricks, ensuring the vertical joints are staggered (offset from the joints below) for structural strength in a bond pattern.
Finishing the Joints (Pointing)
Once the mortar in the joints has become firm but is still pliable (thumbprint hard), it's time to finish them.
- Use a jointer tool that matches your desired joint profile (e.g., concave, V-joint) to press and smooth the mortar in the joints. This compacts the mortar, making the joint more weather-resistant and giving a clean finish.
- Brush away any loose mortar crumbs from the brick faces.
By following these steps, focusing on consistent mortar application, careful placement, and proper leveling, you can effectively install brick using mortar.
