How to Lay Bricks & Rocks

Build a Strong Foundation

• 1

  Determine the path of the wall’s foundation. Mark the foundation line by hammering wood stakes into the ground and stringing twine tightly between them.

• 2

  Dig an 18-inch deep trench along the foundation line that accommodates the width of one brick or rock. Make the trench as level as possible along the bottom. Use the cord strung between the wood stakes as the guideline to keep the fence straight.

• 3

  Tamp the soil down firmly with a soil tamper.

• 4

  Line the sides and bottom of the trench with landscape fabric that overlaps each side of the trench. The landscape fabric keeps dirt from between the washed stones, allowing for better drainage.

• 5

  Fill the trench to within 6 inches of the top with washed stone.

Lay Bricks or Rock

• 6

  Mix pre-blended mortar according to manufacturer’s directions. Place a portion of mortar on the mortar board to use in coating the bricks as they are laid.

• 7

  Coat the bottom of the trench with a line of mortar approximately 2 inches wide and 1 inch deep running along the bottom of the trench. The mortar will seat the brick or rock firmly in a level position.

• 8

  Lay the brick or rock by beginning at one end of the foundation line, spreading a 1/2- to 3/4-inch layer of mortar on the end of the brick or rock and placing it in the trench on top of the mortar. Rock the brick gently to seat it firmly into the mortar. Use the trowel to scrape off excess mortar that squeezes from between the bricks and place it back onto the mortar board. Leave 3/8 of an inch of mortar between the rocks or bricks.

• 9

  Treat one end of the next brick with a layer of mortar and lay the end without mortar end-to-end with the first brick. Tap the end of the second brick with the handle-end of the mortar trowel to seat the bricks snugly against each other. Continue this practice as each brick is laid.

• 10

  Place a long spirit level on top of the bricks or rocks to ensure they are level. Position the long spirit level against the side of the wall to make certain it is in plumb vertically as each layer is added. Repeat the process of checking the level and plumb as you lay every three to four bricks.

• 11

  Lay a 1-inch thick layer of mortar on top of the first three to four bricks of the first row. Start with a half-brick, place mortar on one end and lay it on top of the mortared brick of the first row. The mortared end of the half-brick is laid so it can receive the next brick laid.

• 12

  Continue by laying a full-size brick or rock that overlaps the seam where the two bricks below are joined. Continue to offset the seams as the bricks are laid on the remainder of the construction. Cut bricks or rocks in half when needed to complete the end of a wall.