How to Build Brick Walls on Curbs

Measure the length of the footpath, in feet. Choose a random number equal to or less than nine but as close to nine as possible. Divide the length of the footpath by this number. If it does not divide evenly, choose different numbers until it does. The result is the distance between piers, or reinforcements, that your wall needs.

Spray an X on the curb at the start of the path. Walk along the path a distance equal to the distance between piers that you calculated. Spray another X there. Repeat this process along the length of the whole path.

Mix up a batch of bricklaying cement. Combine 1 part cement powder, 1 part lime and 9 parts sand in a wheelbarrow until the wheelbarrow tub is half-full. Do not fill it more than halfway so you have room to mix it without spilling. Blend the ingredients with a hoe. Once the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, add water until it achieves a pastelike consistency.

Lay a bed of mortar on the curb, starting at one end. Make it 1 inch thick and long enough for a few bricks laid end to end. Make it slightly wider than the bricks. Set bricks end to end in the mortar, leaving 3/8 inch between them. Tap them down into the mortar until the bed underneath them is only 3/8 inch thick. Fill the gaps between bricks with mortar. Use the level to make sure the bricks lie flat.

Lay a brick perpendicular to the others when you reach the first X. Lay another, also perpendicular to the others, next to it. This will form the base of the first pier, which is a thicker structure that helps to strengthen the wall.

Continue laying bricks in the same fashion. Form piers bases wherever there is an X on the curb.

Start a new row of bricks on top of the first row. This time, begin with a half-brick in order to keep the joints in each row from lining up, which would greatly weaken the wall. When you get to the piers, lay two bricks down perpendicular to the two beneath it for the same reason. Use half-bricks as necessary on either side of the piers to ensure the stagger between rows is continuous.

Add additional rows following the same procedure, until the wall is at the desired height. Do not build it higher than 3 feet, as this requires special engineering knowledge.

Lay one final bed of mortar on top of the upper row of bricks, and put on a row of topper stones to improve the look of the wall.