If the base surface is uneven, grind down any high spots to help achieve a uniform mortar appearance.
Lay out the first course of bricks to determine where to drill 4" deep holes in the concrete to accept 1/2" rebar. Use a hammer drill and make sure the hole is not too tight.
Use a short-handled sledgehammer to work the rebar into the hole. Then remove the rebar and reinstall it after laying the mortar and first course of bricks. Stagger rebar in the brick courses above this first level to strengthen the wall.
copyright by Leon A. Frechette/C.R.S., Inc.To lay the first course, apply a thick bed of mortar using the horizontal guide and trowel. Depending on surface unevenness, consider placing only the first two courses and let the project set up overnight before continuing. Place the horizontal guide on the course and slide it along the wall, scraping mortar into the channel as you proceed. Do not get ahead of yourself or the mortar will set up too quickly. Pace yourself and give yourself enough time to comfortably install the bricks into the bed of mortar.
copyright by Leon A. Frechette/C.R.S., Inc. Place two or three bricks at each end of the wall and stretch the mason's level line from one end of the brick to the other, but not so tight that you pull bricks out of alignment. Use levels to ensure proper positioning, both horizontally and vertically. Press the bricks into the mortar bed to secure a firm bond. Level every corner brick to ensure vertical alignment.
The lugs underneath the horizontal guide (see photo at right) ride against the sides of the bricks to ensure a uniform mortar bed and help to properly position the mortar. They also touch against each corner brick to ensure a uniform mortar bed at the corner. The back lugs ensure the guide stays in position as you proceed around the corner.
copyright by Leon A. Frechette/C.R.S., Inc.
Use the vertical guide (see photo at left) to place mortar in the vertical joints, and do the last joint by hand or with a mason's grout bag. Use a dab of mortar on the end of the trowel to plaster in the vertical joint. Again, press bricks into the horizontal and vertical mortar beds to secure a firm bond.
Finally, use the Pro-Pointer to point all the mortar joints for a uniform finish.
These photos show the basics of using the Bricky wall-building system—the rest is up to you. This tool will help move your project along three times faster because it's easier, cleaner, and delivers precise mortar joints. It will take some practice, but it won't be long before you are ready to tackle a larger project, such as a brick sunroom.
This is one tool I highly recommend, and I'm confident that you'll enjoy using it as much as I did. If you want a great-looking brick project that can be done quickly, then Bricky, the professional wall-building tool, is for you.