How to Do a Brick Wall
- 1). Dig a trench under the area where the wall will be constructed that is 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep.
- 2). Mix together a bag of concrete with water according to the manufacturer's instructions in a wheelbarrow, using a shovel to stir the combination, until you get a pudding-like consistency.
- 3). Pour the concrete into the trench, up to the grade of the yard's surface. Cover the cement with a plastic sheet or tarp and leave it alone to give it time to cure, usually three to four days--consult the packaging.
- 4). Lay a sheet of plywood on the ground and pour your bag of mortar onto it in a mound. Create an indent in the middle of the mortar mix. Pour the recommended amount of water into the indent and fold the dry mortar mix into the water, using a trowel to stir. Chop the mortar up and mix until it assumes a frosting-like consistency.
- 5). Set two stakes on each end of the concrete slab and tie twine between them, just slightly higher than the height of a brick. Check that the string is level and straight using a spirit level.
- 6). Spread a 1/2-inch-thick layer of mortar onto the concrete footing under the twine using the trowel. Spread another 1/2-inch-thick layer on one short side of a brick and set the brick into the mortar on the ground, hollow side down, just under and to the side of your twine guideline. Add a 1/2-inch layer of mortar onto one short end of a second brick and place it on the concrete, abutting the first brick so that the first brick's mortared edge is between them. Continue adding additional bricks in the same manner to create a row. Check that the row is level.
- 7). Spread a 1/2-inch-thick layer of mortar on top of the first row and begin laying the second row using the same method as in Step 6. Stagger the placement of the bricks so the ends of one brick are not directly over another; staggering strengthens the wall. Continue laying rows until you reach your desired height or 3 feet.
- 8). Lay the final row of bricks with their short ends facing up in the air for a decorative touch. Apply mortar to one short side of the first brick and set it on the 1/2-inch-thick layer of mortar on the top of the previous row. Continue laying the bricks vertically until the top row is finished.
- 9). Wipe the front of the wall with a stiff brush to remove any excess lumps of mortar once the mortar has dried.
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