Gareth

Step by Step
Guide of Building
A Corner on the Brick Wall

Gareth Jackson
17. 12. 10

What is the corner of my wall?

Traditionally, the corner of the brick wall is built first because it helps most bricklayers have a guide, to how they will lay the wall plumb and level. Most commonly nowadays, bricklayers lay straight across instead of building corners first. This is why it was most challenging.

Image from: Carillion (2008) Brickwork 2nd Edition page 169

I have inserted this picture to show that the corners still have to be built first, because the profiles need to be attached to something. Once these are fixed, level and to gauge, a line can be set up for the brick courses

How did I build the corner
and why it was the most challenging

First of all, I cleaned up my area and stacked enough bricks for both corners. This is always best so it saves time, which equals more time on the practical part.

Start the corner by laying one brick horizontally to the edge of the blocks. Don't worry if the corner does not hit the line. When checking for plumb, it will most probably be the blocks that are out.

Lol...me and Will built that blockwork!

I used four bricks to build the bottom and another three making an 'L' shape. To start rising, do this again for the second course, but instead of laying the first brick horizontally, lay it vertically on the blocks, which will show what half a brick looks like, when facing your brickwork

Brickwork drawn by Anne Dec 10

I have inserted this picture, to show the brick on the second course is rotated, to ensure the brickwork is half-bonded. If you lay it vertically, you'll get a soldier course

My corner was exactly five courses high with the last three courses rising up, making a pyramid shape. Each mortar gap should be no wider than 10mm or 1cm. Make sure you check every brick is level.

The reason why building the corner is the most challenging is because you are not laying to a line, so it is hard to see if your bricks are out, slanting or level with the other bricks

How could I improve and where would I use these skills?

Next time, the one thing I could have improved is making my mortar gaps to the right measurements. If they are off and one is right, one brick will be laid higher than the other.

I could use these skills in many places, from building garden walls at home to building brick sheds and just normal walls at college or work in construction

This is an excellent piece of writing. Well Done!