How to Lay Brick on a Cement Base

Create your pattern and design for the brick surface. Choose from traditional patterns like basket weave or herringbone. Once set in mortar, the pattern cannot be changed.

Clean the cement base with a hose and wire brush to remove embedded dirt. The wire brush will both scrape off dirt and rough up the surface of the cement, allowing the mortar to adhere more easily.

Fill any cracks and pits in the base with vinyl reinforced patch compound. Use a putty knife to stuff the compound into the gaps.

Set the bricks on the surface in your chosen pattern. Working from the center of one side of the base across to the other side, place the bricks on the surface, butting them against each other. Once a full row of bricks is in place, mark the end bricks with chalk where they need to be cut to fit. Calculate the number of brick rows needed to cover the surface and make the same cut mark over the bricks needed for each row.

Turn the power saw on and slowly feed the brick into the saw, applying even pressure as the blade cuts through the chalk line. If using a chisel, place the point over the line and tap the end with the hammer. Continue moving the point along the line and hitting the end until the score line is deep enough to snap.

Mix mortar by adding enough water to the mortar mix to form a batter-like consistency. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions to calculate how much mortar you'll need to mix to lay a half-inch layer over the surface of the cement.

Smooth a half-inch layer of mortar over the first area with a notched trowel, spreading enough to cover four bricks at a time. Set your first pavers in the mortar as you practiced, pressing them into the mortar with equal force. Continue setting bricks until the first row or section is complete. Place a board over the bricks and press it down to level the bricks and further embed them in the mortar. Continue setting the bricks in sections until the cement base is covered.

Wait two days for the mortar to harden, then brush stone dust over the bricks with a shop broom. Pack the dust between the narrow crevices to pad the bricks and help lock them in place.