Installing brick with mortar involves a precise sequence of preparation, application, and finishing steps to ensure a durable and aesthetically pleasing result. The process requires careful attention to detail, from preparing your work area to properly curing the mortar.
Essential Preparation Steps
Before you even mix your first batch of mortar, thorough preparation is key to a successful brick installation.
1. Gather Your Materials and Tools
Having everything ready before you begin will streamline the process.
- Bricks: Ensure they are clean and, for most applications, pre-wet to prevent them from drawing water too quickly from the mortar, which can weaken the bond.
- Mortar Mix: Choose the correct type of mortar for your project (e.g., Type N, S, or M) based on strength requirements and exposure to weather.
- Water: For mixing mortar and pre-wetting bricks.
- Measuring Tools: Tape measure, level (long and short), plumb bob.
- Mixing Tools: Mortar mixer or mixing tub with a hoe/shovel.
- Application Tools: Trowels (pointing, brick), 1/2'' square notched trowel, mortar board or hawk.
- Jointing Tools: Sled runner, S-shaped jointer, or other jointing tools for finishing.
- Cleaning Supplies: Stiff brush, sponges, buckets.
- Safety Gear: Gloves, safety glasses, knee pads.
| Category | Item | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| **Materials** | Bricks, Mortar Mix, Water | Building blocks and binding agent |
| **Mixing** | Mortar Mixer/Tub, Hoe/Shovel | Preparing mortar to proper consistency |
| **Application** | Trowels (Brick, Pointing), Mortar Board, **1/2'' Square Notched Trowel**, Spacers | Transferring and spreading mortar, ensuring even spacing |
| **Measurement/Alignment** | Tape Measure, Levels (various sizes), Plumb Bob, Mason's Line | Ensuring straight, level, and plumb walls |
| **Finishing** | Jointing Tools (Sled Runner, S-Shape), Stiff Brush, Sponge | Shaping mortar joints and cleaning excess |
2. Prepare the Surface
The foundation or existing wall surface must be clean, stable, and free of loose debris, oil, or paint that could hinder adhesion. For new installations, ensure the foundation is level and cured.
3. Mix the Mortar
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing the mortar.
- Combine the dry mortar mix with the recommended amount of water in a mixing tub or mixer.
- Mix thoroughly until the consistency is uniform, resembling thick oatmeal or peanut butter. It should be pliable enough to spread easily but stiff enough to hold its shape.
- Allow the mortar to "slake" for 5-10 minutes, then re-mix briefly. This allows the water to fully hydrate the cement, improving workability. For more details on mortar types and mixing, consult resources like the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA).
Applying Mortar and Laying Bricks
This is the core of the brick installation process, where precision and technique come into play.
1. Apply the Mortar Bed
Begin by establishing a "bed joint" for the first course of bricks.
- Apply mortar to the wall with a 1/2'' square notched trowel. This type of trowel helps create uniform ridges, ensuring a consistent mortar bed and optimal contact with the brick.
- Spread a layer of mortar thick enough to allow the bricks to be embedded and leveled without bottoming out. Aim for a consistent thickness, typically around 3/8 to 1/2 inch.
2. Lay the First Brick Course
The first course is critical as it sets the alignment for the entire wall.
- Embed the bricks into the mortar with a back and forth motion. This wiggling action helps fully seat the brick into the mortar, ensuring good adhesion and removing any trapped air.
- Apply "butter" (mortar) to the end of the brick that will face the previously laid brick to create the "head joint."
- Use spacers to create the proper spacing between each brick. These tools are invaluable for maintaining consistent joint widths.
- The spacers will also keep the bricks from sliding down the wall before the mortar cures. This is particularly important for vertical applications or when laying bricks on a slight incline.
3. Maintain Level and Plumb
As you continue laying courses, constantly check your work:
- Level: Use a level to ensure each brick and course is perfectly horizontal.
- Plumb: Use a plumb bob or a long level to ensure the wall is perfectly vertical.
- Straight: Run a mason's line along the top of each course to ensure the wall remains straight. Adjust bricks by gently tapping them with the trowel handle or a rubber mallet.
4. Continue Laying Courses
Repeat the process, applying mortar beds and head joints for each new brick. Stagger the vertical joints in a running bond pattern for structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
Finishing the Mortar Joints
Once the mortar has stiffened but is still workable (thumbprint hard), it's time to finish the joints. This not only enhances appearance but also compacts the mortar, making it more weather-resistant.
- Tooling: Use a jointing tool (such as a sled runner for concave joints or an S-shaped jointer for raked joints) to shape the mortar joints. Drag the tool along the joints, applying firm pressure. Different joint profiles offer varying aesthetics and weather resistance; concave and V-joints are generally preferred for exterior applications due to their shedding water properties.
- Trimming and Cleaning: As you tool the joints, excess mortar will be squeezed out. Carefully trim this away with your trowel. Once the joints are tooled, use a stiff brush to gently remove any remaining mortar crumbs or haze from the brick faces. Avoid smearing mortar on the bricks. For more on jointing, see guides from reputable sources like This Old House.
Curing the Mortar
Proper curing is essential for the mortar to achieve its full strength and durability.
- Moisture: Keep the newly laid brickwork damp for at least 3-7 days after installation by misting it with water. This slows down the drying process, allowing the cement to fully hydrate and strengthen.
- Protection: Protect the brickwork from extreme weather conditions (heavy rain, freezing temperatures, direct hot sun) during the initial curing period. Cover it with plastic sheeting if necessary.
By following these detailed steps, you can achieve a professional and long-lasting brick installation with mortar.
