Corners First

• Lay out the lines for the walls with a chalk line. Each level of brick is called a course, and the total number of bricks in the first course should equal the height in courses of the corner. For example, if the corner will be nine courses high, the first course of brick should have four bricks in one direction and five in the other. Lay out the first course dry, with about 3/8 inch between the brick to account for mortar. You want the best side of each brick facing out. Mark the brick ends on the layout line and then push the bricks off the line. Spread mortar along the line, trying not to cover the line. Furrow along the center of the mortar with your trowel tip. Lay the corner brick--the top of each brick from the ground or from the top of the brick below should be at the "6" on a modular spacing rule. Lay the brick on the opposite end, and check that it is level with the first. Lay the bricks between just a little higher, then level the course from the corner out. Use your level to plumb the brick face and line up the top outside edge of the bricks.
  
  

First Course

• Lay out the first course dry. Adjust the spacing between the bricks as necessary so you end up with a full brick in the middle. Attach a nylon line and line blocks to the corners of the first course, and stretch the line tight. Mark the locations of the brick on the layout line, then push them off to lay the mortar. Using the same technique you used with the corners, lay the brick in the mortar from the ends of the wall to the middle. Don't spread mortar for more than two or three bricks at a time until you get the hang of it. Before laying the last brick, apply mortar to the ends of the adjacent bricks as well as to the ends of the last brick.
  
  

Working Up

• Adjust the line up for each course. You want the bricks to be about 1/16 inch off the line--just enough to see some daylight. After about every three courses, tool the mortar before it dries out too much. A sledrunner jointer does the best job. Always tool the head joints first, then tool horizontally through the bed joints. Brush the wall off when you finish, and fix any holes.