Explore these masonry basics with ways to build a DIY brick mailbox and how to lay bricks on the ground for building brick piers.
If you’re looking to build a brick pier (a vertical column), all it takes is a little knowledge and familiarity with a few construction basics – such as what level, plumb (vertically level), and flush (mortar in line with the bricks) look like – and a few essential tools. Various piers, which can serve as a mailbox or driveway lining, can be an inviting landmark for visitors and raise your property value. Whether you’re building a pier, a wall, or replacing old masonry, getting it right from the get-go will help prevent any unnecessary hassle later.
Be sure to have your supplies – bricks, mortar, levels, squares, trowel, wheelbarrow, shovel, masonry line, water, etc. – ready before you begin your project. You can ensure your project is level, flush, plumb, and square in several different ways. The most common way is to use levels, masonry squares, and lines. If you get it right from the bottom, gravity can (and will) help you with the rest.
Depending on the temperature outside, you’ll want to work with the sun in your favor. If it’s hot out, try not to mix up too much mortar at once, as the heat will draw out the moisture and compromise the integrity of the final project. Rather than continually adding extra water, use a little mortar at a time.
How to Lay Bricks on the Ground
If you’re using a footer, be sure it’s deep and wide enough for your project. Digging past your local freeze line is recommended to minimize any natural shifting. Smooth out your footer and remove any rocks; it doesn’t have to look pretty, especially if you plan to bury the foundation. Just try not to overdo it once it’s good enough, and it’ll retain its structural integrity longer. Once you’ve poured the footer and smoothed it over, allow it plenty of time to cure.
If you’re working with solid bricks, get them wet first, especially if you’re in the sun. This will ensure the mortar adheres better. When you’re ready to begin laying the bricks, you can estimate how square or flush they are compared with other things around them, such as the road. The first course or two may take a little adjusting. Once you have a good foundation to lay, the hardest part is over!
If you’re planning to build brick piers on each side of your driveway, make sure they align with each other. You can do this with a line level or chalk line, or set up stakes on each side with strings wrapped around them tightly to get an idea of how to begin your project.
If you’re building a wall, you may want to build a lead on each end. A lead is a staircase-like structure on each end or corner that’s been properly squared up and laid plumb, level, and flush. Masonry string can then be used by stretching it across each end and fixing it to the corner of each brick to give you an idea of how to lay the remaining bricks flush. Building a lead or corner first is a common way to build various brick structures.
“Staggered” is the stronger way to lay bricks or cinder blocks. The higher you go, the prettier you can make it, until it’s near enough to eye level. You can build a simple lead if you’ve figured out how thick to make the bed joints. If the corner is square and plumb, the courses are level, and the desired length is pretty much the same, you can begin laying the rest flush with
the corners. Using a square and a level as you lay each course can help keep the project in line.
As you finish each course, ensure you fill in any holes in the head or bed joints. Place a level diagonally against the side to ensure everything stays flush. If you need to adjust bricks for flushness, give them a gentle tap or two where appropriate.
Depending on how you’d like your new project to look, you can use interesting and colorful bricks or even color your mortar. Remember, your new DIY project will be one of the first things that tells friends, family, and new guests, “Welcome!”
Learn more about structural building and all about earth building techniques with How to Build a Cob House.
For more information on building with stones and mortar read about Basic Stone Masonry here.
Originally published as “Masonry Basics” in the November/December 2024 issue of GRIT magazine and regularly vetted for accuracy.
