How to Secure a Brick Wall to Cinder Block

Measure, in feet, the length of the cinder-block wall, after it's built. Measure the width of one of the bricks in inches. Divide the result by 12 to get its width in feet. For instance, if the brick is 4 inches wide, then divide it by 12, or 0.33 feet wide. Multiply the length of the wall by the width of a brick. This is the surface area of the bed of mortar you need for one row of bricks. As an example, if the wall is 12 feet long and the bricks are 0.33 feet wide, then the surface area for the bed of mortar is 12 times 0.33, or 4 square feet.

Divide the surface area by 12 to get the volume of mortar, in cubic feet, that you need to lay a course of brick façade. For example, if you have a bed surface area of 4 square feet, then you need 4 divided by 12, or 0.33, cubic feet of mortar for it. Mix up approximately twice this much mortar, to have enough to lay between the bricks as well as under them. Mix the ingredients in a wheelbarrow, stirring with a hoe. Follow the instructions provided on the package of mortar.

Lay a bed of mortar down next to the cinder block wall, coming right up to its edge. Make this bed 1 inch thick, and between 1 and 2 inches wider than the bricks. Use the trowel to make it. Only lay down enough for a few bricks at a time, to keep it from drying out.

Lay a brick into the mortar bed at one end of the cinder block wall. Tap it with the trowel until the mortar underneath it is only 3/8 inches thick. Scrape away the excess. Check the brick with the level to ensure it's resting flat.

Fill in the gap between the brick and the cinder blocks with mortar. Lay a second brick down next to the first, 3/8 inches away. Fill that gap with mortar as well.

Continue laying bricks in this fashion until one whole row of bricks has been laid in front of and attached to the cinder blocks.

Lay a second row of bricks on top of the first, following the same procedure. However, start the row with a half-brick instead of a full-sized brick. This will keep the joints between bricks from lining up, which would weaken the wall.

Continue laying down rows in the same manner, until you've completely covered the cinder blocks with bricks. Start each row alternately with full-sized bricks or half-bricks. Use the level as you go to keep each course as flat as possible.