How to Build a Brick Wall

http://www.channel4.com/4homes/how-to/diy/how-to-build-a-brick-wall

You Will Need: Ready-mixed mortar, Ready-mixed concrete, Bricks, Bucket, Shovel, Plastic, sheeting,
Sheet of plywood, Brick trowel, Spirit level, Plumb line, Club hammer and bolster chisel, Bricklayers
line and pegs

Step One: Set A Concrete Foundation

All walls need a firm foundation. For a single brick width low garden wall, up to around a
450mm high, dig a trench around 300mm wide and 300mm deep. If the soil is soft or
unstable, you may need to dig deeper. You can use bags of pre-mixed concrete to make
the foundation or mix one measure of cement to six parts of ballast (a mixture of sand
and gravel). Pour the concrete into the trench and push it down firmly with the end of a
post to get rid of air pockets and level the surface. This concrete foundation is known as
the footing' and should be around 150mm thick for a low wall.

Step Two: Dry The Footing

Cover the trench with a length of plastic sheet and allow the concrete to set or cure' for
three to four days until hard.

Step Three: Prepare The Mortar

For small walls, bags of mortar mix are easy to handle and mean the ratio of sand and
cement is always right. Lay the piece of plywood board down to protect the ground. Mix
the mortar well on the plywood, using a spade to fold the mix together and using a
chopping action across the mortar. Aim for a smooth consistency that is still stiff enough
to hold its shape when you make a hole in the mix with your spade. Make sure no streaks
of cement remain and the mortar is a consistent colour.

Step Four: Lay The First Bricks

Spread an even 10mm layer of mortar along the centre of the footings. Butter' the
mortar onto the end of the first brick with the trowel and place it on the footings with
the brick's hollow, or frog, facing upwards. Fix pegs and a string line along the footings to
give you a guide line for the top corner of the first row of bricks. Lay this row of bricks,
regularly checking the horizontal with a spirit level.

Step Five: Arrange The Bricks

The simplest arrangement of bricks for single thickness walls is called a stretcher bond -
in this layout, each vertical joint is staggered and half bricks are used to fill in the end
gaps. Use a gauge stick (a piece of batten with the widths of a brick and mortar line
marked up one side) to check that the mortar levels are even as you complete each
layer, and the end of your trowel handle to tap the bricks level.

Your spirit level can also be handy to check that the outer brick faces are all aligned.
Check that any corners are vertical with a plumb line.

Step Six: Finish Off

Lay the top course of bricks with the frog facing downwards. Alternatively, finish off the
top with special coping bricks or a row of half bricks laid upright. You can neaten the
mortar joints by running a piece of dowel along and across the joints and then use a stiff
brush to remove any excess mortar before it has fully dried. Cover the wall with some old
plastic bags or tarpaulin to protect setting mortar from rain and frost.
Name: ___________________________________ Date_______________ P#__________ Score:

How to Build a Brick Wall: Reading/Comprehending Functional Text

1. Based upon the title of the provided directions, what do you predict the purpose of the text
will be? What kind of an audience do you believe this article was written for?

2. List 5 materials needed to accomplish the task addressed in this piece of functional text?

3. What is another term/name for concrete foundation? When building a low wall, how thick
should concrete foundation be?

4. Under Step Two: Dry the Footing, about how many days do the directions say you should
allow the concrete to set?

5. Which action must occur first according to the directions provided: arranging the bricks or
preparing the mortar?

6. When drying the footing, what should you cover your prepared trench with?

7. When describing bricks, what is the term frog referring to?

8. Describe a stretcher bond layout.

9. Identify two steps that encourage the use of a spirit level.

10. Towards the end of the brick laying process, describe how you can neaten the mortar joints
on a brick wall.