Build a Brick Pillar

Instructions

1. 1 Start

   

   This 4-ft. pillar was built with 18 courses of brick. A brick cap adds a touch of elegance and protects against rain, ice, and snow. You can also build pillars with stone caps, or, as shown on the following pages, use cast concrete caps, which are available in many sizes.

2. 2 Footings

   
   

   Pour footings that are 4" longer and wider than the pillars on each side. This project calls for 16 × 20" footings.

3. 3 Use a story pole Optional

   
   

   Use a story pole to maintain consistent mortar joint thickness. Line up a scrap 1 × 2 on a flat tabletop alongside a column of bricks, spaced 3⁄8" apart. Mark the identical spacing on the 1 × 2. Hold up pole after every few courses to check the mortar joints for consistent thickness.

4. 4 Cut Optional

   
   

   Cut a straight 2 × 2 to fit tight in the space between the two pillars. As you lay each course for the second pillar, use the 2 × 2 to check the span.

5. 5 First course bricks

   
   

   Once the footing has cured, dry-lay the first course of five bricks, centered on the footing. Mark reference lines around the bricks.

6. 6 Lay mortar

   
   

   Lay a bed of mortar inside the reference lines and lay the first course.

7. 7 Create weep hole

   
   

   Use a pencil or dowel coated with vegetable oil to create a weep hole in the mortar in the first course of bricks. The hole ensures drainage of any moisture that seeps into the pillar.

8. 8 Second course bricks

   
   

   Lay the second course, rotating the pattern 180º. Lay additional courses, rotating the pattern 180º with each course. Use the story pole and a level to check each face of the pillar after every other course. It’s important to check frequently, since any errors will be exaggerated with each successive course.

9. 9 Use mesh

   
   

   After every fourth course, cut a strip of 1⁄4" wire mesh and place it over a thin bed of mortar. Add another thin bed of mortar on top of the mesh, and then add the next course of brick.

10. 10 Smooth with jointing tool

    
    

    After every five courses, use a jointing tool to smooth the joints that have hardened enough to resist minimal finger pressure.

11. 11 Final course bricks

    
    

    For the final course, lay the bricks over a bed of mortar and wire mesh. After placing the first two bricks, add an extra brick in the center of the course. Lay the remainder of the bricks around it. Fill the remaining joints, and work them with the jointing tool as soon as they become firm.

12. 12 Repeat steps to build second pillar

    
    

    Build the second pillar in the same way as the first. Use the story pole and measuring rod to maintain identical dimensions and spacing.

13. 13 Select capstone

    
    

    Select a capstone 3" longer and wider than the top of the pillar. Mark reference lines on the bottom for centering the cap. Do not install caps if you are adding an arch to your pillars.

14. 14 Add capstone

    
    

    Spread a 1⁄2"-thick bed of mortar on top of the pillar. Center the cap on the pillar using the reference lines. Strike the mortar joint under the cap so it’s flush with the pillar. Note: If mortar squeezes out of the joint, press 3⁄8”-thick wood scraps into the mortar at each corner to support the cap. Remove the scraps after 24 hours and fill in the gaps with mortar.