How to Build a Brick Knee Wall

Mark off the area where you want to build your brick knee wall. Measure the distance out from the edge of the closest wall in several places and draw a straight line. Add the thickness of two bricks or 8 inches to the front of the line. This is the area in which you will build the wall.

Mix only enough mortar in a 5-gallon bucket to work with in 20 minutes or it will harden too quickly. Mix just enough water with the dry powder to make a pudding-like mixture.

Spread a 1/2-inch layer of mortar on the floor in a small section of the marked and measured area. Lay bricks in place on the mortar after adding a 1/2-inch layer of mortar to the sides. Use at least two bricks in width to create a sturdy wall.

Alternate the pattern of the bricks so the vertical seams do not line up. Check the surface of the bricks often as you work on the first level to make sure that it stays perfectly straight, vertically and horizontally for the upper bricks. Tap the bricks slightly with a mallet to level them out.

Scratch the joints of the bricks with the edge of the trowel to create a slightly indented surface.

Scrape off the excess mortar on the outside of the bricks with a trowel. Clean up any spills on the floor with a damp rag immediately.

Spread a layer of mortar on the top row of bricks and continue to lay the bricks in an alternating pattern. Always add more mortar to the leading side of the bricks to join each brick to the next, keeping the mortar about 1/2-inch thick.

Continue adding and leveling the bricks, cleaning up as you work until you have completed the top of the wall.

Allow the wall to dry undisturbed for at least one week.