Laying bricks is one of the oldest construction skills, but it’s also an art. For beginners, it can feel tricky to get straight lines and even spacing. The secret? Using a string line (line cutting). A simple taut string helps guide your rows, ensuring your wall is neat, level, and strong.
Here are 14 beginner-friendly tricks to help you lay bricks like a pro:
1. Prepare a Solid Foundation
Always start with a strong, level base. A concrete footing is best—without it, your wall won’t last.
2. Gather the Right Tools
You’ll need: trowel, spirit level, string line, hammer, jointing tool, and safety gear.
3. Mix Mortar Properly
Mortar should be like thick peanut butter—sticky, but not runny. Too wet, and the bricks will slip.
4. Set Up Your String Line
Tie a string line at the ends of your wall, slightly above the first course of bricks. This will guide your straightness.
5. Butter the Bricks
Spread mortar evenly on both the bed (bottom) and the head (side). This ensures strong bonding.
6. Tap Bricks into Place
Use the handle of your trowel to gently tap bricks level with the string line.
7. Check Each Course
After every row, check both level (horizontal) and plumb (vertical) with a spirit level.
8. Stagger the Joints
For strength, overlap joints—don’t stack bricks directly above one another. This is called a “running bond.”
9. Use Half-Bricks Where Needed
Cut bricks with a bolster chisel or brick saw to keep your pattern consistent.
10. Keep Mortar Joints Even
Aim for about 10mm thickness between bricks. The string line helps you keep this uniform.
11. Clean Excess Mortar
Scrape off extra mortar before it dries to keep your wall neat.
12. Re-tighten the String Line
As you go higher, move your string line up for each course. Always keep it taut.
13. Finish with Jointing Tool
Once mortar firms up, run a jointing tool along the lines for a professional finish.
14. Practice, Practice, Practice
Like all trades, bricklaying gets easier the more you do it. Start small—like a garden wall—before tackling big projects.