How to Build a Brick Corner Post

Dig a square hole six inches deep and 1 1/4 times the size of the brick column you want to build. This is for a column or corner post that does not involve encasing a preexisting post. Level the bottom of the hole and lay in reinforcing bar going both directions. Fill the hole with concrete and level the surface. Allow it to dry.

Dry-fit your bricks first. Lay out one course of bricks, remembering to leave 1/4 inch for mortar between each. Lay the next course on top to see whether additional cut bricks are needed to even the course and to ensure mortar lines are not in the same location. A common brick is half as wide as it is long, so the premise is that two bricks will stack on top of two bricks pointing the opposite direction perfectly. Use this to calculate the number of bricks for the first course.

Apply mortar to the underside of a brick. Lay it in the corner of the footprint of the proposed corner post. Level it by tapping with the back of the trowel where needed. Apply mortar to the next brick on the bottom and the side that will be touching the previously laid brick. Lay next to the first brick, making sure that there is a tight fit and no gaps are present in the mortar. Repeat this, removing with the trowel any excess mortar that appears, for the entire course. Be sure that this course is perfectly level. If it is off, the whole post will tilt.

Apply the next course in the same manner described in Step 3. Repeat this for at least eight courses. After that, if you choose, you can reduce the number of bricks used, causing a step-back in the appearance of the post without damaging the structural integrity. You can, however, continue the full length without creating a step-back.

Apply the fitting to accept what you are attaching to the top of the corner post when you reach your desired height. A carport or patio awning will usually have a piece of flashing that will attach to the beam. Attach with masonry screws. If your corner post is for a fence, then push small pieces of sheet metal called wall ties into the mortar at least every third course. These are corrugated pieces of sheet metal about 6 inches long and should be pushed into the mortar between the bricks before it dries. They allow a wall to be attached firmly and minimize risk of separation.