How To Lay Brick Columns and Soldier Courses!

Masonry tricks of the trade, building column and soldier courses.
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0:15 In the first part of this video we cover building brick columns, with different sizes of brick, and in different styles, for different uses, including ways to reinforce columns.
8:50 In the second part of this video we cover how to add a soldier course to a standard brick wall, including ways to speed up the process and remain accurate.
13:25 And at the end we recap what we covered in this clip.

[@JasonSpitzMI50]

Ladies and gentlemen take it from a guy who have done this for 35 years, it takes a very skilled person to eyeball a straight line without laying a line. This guy knows exactly what he's teaching.

[@jakedemille6767]

This is the type of teacher people need. Very clear, very simplistic, no beating around the bush. To the point. 👌🏻

[@heroknaderi]

I’m thinking about doing this for structural support . I enjoyed watching your video 👍😁 also it looks like this video was made back in the 90s or early 2000s I miss the good old days 😉

[@dominiquelegeai9445]

Obviously this is a very old video; but it is very well done and will defnitly help me build my pillar; I have a very difficult time finding the right brick here in Phoenix area; need 12x4x4 or 9x3x3 with holes, not solid.

[@elams1894]

Makes it look easy, your'e a real pro! I just tried my first column today, laid up 6 levels of 4 bricks only, took me 4 hours and looks like a dogs breakfast compared to yours. Thanks for the tutorial, it helped a lot, I'll get there!!

[@scottrobinson2286]

Great bricklaying skills,you can tell this from 80's,house doesn't have tyvek,vapor barrier,house wrap.Would never fly today's standards.Very skilled mason.

[@rubenmborgesmusic]

elams1894 did you get better?

[@brianfield792]

elams1894 I just did the same yesterday, with training mortar.took me a couple of hours ,5 courses high, so will keep practicing, good luck, brian uk,

[@rigomanjarrez3004]

Jaja u funny

[@bighammer587]

I can't even believe what I'm seeing at 9:42 Where's the house wrap or vapor barrier?? Unbelievable! ...Nice looking masonry though.

[@12dollacigarette]

Likely in Nevada or a very dry climate. But I agree, house wrap would be good practice anywhere.

[@stevedoubleu99B]

I'm such a begginer, I didn't even know the standy-up bricks were called soldier courses, so thank you. Excellent video.

[@carlwitteveen1445]

the reply about the vapour barrier that i commented on was when you were laying the soldier course on the back wall, not the pier i know that as i am a brick layer myself in Canada, all our houses up north have vapour barrier ,deu to our climate

[@xivwords5448]

carl witteveen how many months is it too cold to lay

[@Burchrg24]

The first segment doesn't talk about ending height calculations and how to figure foundation/footing starting elevation in regards to brick bed joints ending at a precise height. Second segment has the rebar being placed in the middle of the column AFTER the concrete is poured... the column isnt anchored at all.

[@maggs131]

Wow i shouldn't have watched this video, all the pros are here in the comments.

[@DavidB-rx3km]

maggs131 yeah! Learning so much from all the random advice/criticism in the comments, over a professional actually performing it for real on video! 😂

[@paulbest2203]

Come to England and learn to lay bricks the traditional way tried and trusted for generations as in my case 4 generations.

[@dipperboyd_3944]

Paul Best wish I lived over there I wanna be a brick mason so bad I practice all the time but it’s really hard to find someone to take time to give lessons in person

[@robertboyle5370]

Go brush your teeth..of you have any...

[@stevena3333]

I did my first brick job today at home trying to fix some exterior stairs…what a Fing mess! Hopefully it lasts a few weeks 😆

[@thomasglessner6067]

Another excellent video. I like the review at the end to highlight the points made during the video. Thank you for sharing.

[@Jessiferdoose]

How deep should the concrete footing be for the Columns? Should the fitting have rebar in it?

[@OUTDOORLIGHT-tb6oo]

Very beautiful, but it would be more convenient if a lamp is installed on the post, it can be used for lighting and decoration

[@abdulalhazred4589]

NICE WORK , SIR, I AM LEARNING LIKE NEVER BEFORE, MY DAD USED TO SAY ´´YOU NEVER REALLY STOP LEARNING , SPECIALLY WHEN THE THINGS YOU LEARN ARE GOOD ENOUGH TO BE HONORED WITH HARD WORK´´, HE LIVED 85 YEARS AND HIS WORDS ARE STILL HERE , WITH ME AS I WALK ON THIS LAND... HE USED TO ENJOY TEACHING ME AND OTHERS ALL HE KNEW... I MISS HIM SO MUCH...KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK , KEEP TEACHING...

[@bugbomb8048]

Back in school we used lime and sand mix and some gray coloring to practice our columns and walls. Then when done we would have to tear it down clean up the brick and our fake mortar mix was thrown into the mixer dry to beat the clumps out of it and it was ready to used again and again for practice.....thanks for the great videos

[@michaelpukmel9175]

Thanks, great video. Nice brick work.

[@FadeToBlack1989]

This guy really knows what hes talking about

[@pauldoherty8432]

Hook the end of the rebar before you set it in the footing it acts like an anchor

[@examplerkey]

Excellent instructional video. Thank you very much.

[@wasabikimchi7891]

This is by far the best vid I found. But I need bit more about how to do foundation. I am planning to build a automated sliding gate with intercom. Any tips?

[@monieamara]

Thank you for the teaching. It’s very well explained.

[@ericboyles7208]

Say, do you ever hose down the bricks that you’re going to lay with, water, to keep the bricks from sucking all the moisture out of the mortar? I’m learning so much from your vids!! Thank you so very much!!!

[@learntolaybrick]

yes in the heat of summer it can help to wet the brick down, especially if your in the desert like we are.

[@locking-rk8oi]

Just started school for this

[@paulbest2203]

There called clipper joints ,not full perps ,I'd get a clout from my passed away Dad if he saw me do that God rest his old boots and tie . My grandfather would boot me also .

[@lourencomassenzi6109]

Muito mas muito bom ver como o carinho profissional e dedicação a profissão trazendo ótimos resultados , parabéns.

[@nuclearbum9858]

GOOD STICK WORK..

[@irvingfive7955]

Hate to be a stickler, but it looks like a third lap bond to me.

[@billypilgrim7838]

trig means to straiten or tidy up.One trigs a line with a twig.maybe a small branch?

[@AccountantDoesDIY]

So wish I’d found this video before trying 1.5 brick 6 foot piers for our driveway gates for the first time. Didn’t appreciate the need for rebar and only filled the centre with concrete. Second time I closed the gates they snapped the pillars around course 4 or 5 and toppled over! Soul destroying rebuild with 16mm rebar lengths chemically resined 400mm into the concrete foundations followed!

[@robertboyle5370]

Good bricky he recaptures the squeezed out mud and taps his trowel clean to keep from smearing the brick.

[@rodneysmart9774]

What kinda footing are you on?

[@billcoley8520]

Brick and 1/3

[@Blueskinedbeast]

this guy is ruff as fck LOloLOLolOLOLOloL

[@CilVine]

Thank you. Clear, concise, informative.

[@robertcombs1518]

You have great videos... Explaining each move ..things to look out for and why you do them!! Great craftsman for sure!!!!!

[@DethDingo]

Word of advice don't rake joints, its terrible for the bricks. It looks great but the bricks will shale and fall apart from weather. Every chimney we fix has raked joints, concave all the way. Unless you want to re do your work 10 years later.

[@barbarastanislav4356]

Hi I have a question about the column you built for the gate that was on a concrete slab. You put rebar in it--and said you would reenforce it with mortar. Can I build a column on concrete steps doing the same? Putting rebar in it with concrete? Without it tipping over?

[@cwc8979]

Beautiful Mountains in the background

[@robertboyle5370]

This man knows his shit....

[@robviolin1]

Thanks 👍

[@1474wilson]

The second column is just going to be a big sponge... Hopefully it doesn't go through any freeze/thaw cycles. Would be best to use a half 8" block, stack that upto height, then fill it solid with grout and rebar.. Blue skin and flash your block, Then put your brick veneer around it and leave a few weeper holes...

[@gerryb8274]

We call those "Chariots" The Brick pointing gadget with two wheels and a nail for a particular finish and pieces of hosepipe or dowling whereby giving the desired effect also we have some very talented Bricklayer's Stu Crompton in particular has KZbin channel and he just keeps getting better all the time people like him are drawing those at home showing them all the way to lay brick and the industry is better for that, Rodian Montague is another talented lad also on KZbin showing the public that You too can do this, obviously for a profesion City & Guilds which is the older Merit needed to Qualify as a Bricklayer and NVQ 's but with all this Coronar Virus and place's on lockdown i suspect there will be quite a few Homemade Barbeques being Built and i maybe one of them. !!

[@johngraham9860]

a bricklayer never hits his level puts it off and nothing will be plumb or level same with the brick it should be pushed into position not hit into position i would have been slapped as an apprentice for doing that

[@dennisholmes1454]

And me!

[@dlcarrocce5687]

John Graham that's how I was taught as an apprentice

[@brickmason26]

back in the day levels were expensive nice wood levels.. I beat my level and they keep true for years and years..

[@MooreKarina]

John Graham Wood level were the most likely to go of true as the bulbs were set and adjustable people should not follow what you say the re bar you use in the col should be tied into and cast in the footing all that will happen is the col will come away gate and all please don't show people the wrong things I don't rate you at all I am sorry I cringe each time you hit your level a brick should've said lac d you n position not hit

[@martinsigsworth9042]

Karina Sorry not following your logic; re your statement "people should not follow what you say on the rebar you use in the column should be tied into and cast in the footing all that will happen is the column will come away gate and all please don't show people the wrong things" can you explain this better thanks, My understand was rebar should be in the concrete base and up the column thus tying this into one solid piece (foundation and structure)

[@Austin_Hart]

Pardon my ignorance, but since brick is so porous, why isn't there a moisture barrier behind it? I know very little about bricklaying; however, when a house uses standard siding there is a house-wrap type of moisture/vapor barrier used. Is there a reason it isn't used here? Is it not needed?

[@mikeearls126]

Phil Simms is a pretty good mason.

[@Nick-rm2yc]

I'm a very successful brick and stone mason and this is a JOKE !!!!

[@SebastianApari]

In the first example, is it possible that the brick pier get filled with water or humidity and gets damaged that way? Any experience out there?

[@togodbetheglory9725]

This video was made in the 80s I wonder if this man still doing this for a living..

[@learntolaybrick]

He is retired but still does estimating and teaching and service projects to help those in need.

[@jadrianmc3420]

No one: Not a single fucking soul: Empty void and space: KZbin Recommendation: Watch some dude lay bricks

[@eastside0434]

I want to brick up my house which has asbestos siding on it,I know I will have to build a new footer around perimeter, any ideas on this subject.??? Should I apply a 30 lb roofing felt or house wrap.?

[@trihall2273]

Who ever did the concre porch cap on that porch did a poor job tapping the form and finishing the face.

[@jcuvier135]

Kind of an old video, but maybe somebody will answer: if you aren't saving the mortar that you scrape out with that rake, is there some other benefit to using the rake to remove the mortar instead of leaving the mortar flush with the brick? I've always liked the look of brick laid with the mortar sort of spilling out of the joint (although I know that just uses a lot of mortar - but back to the initial question - if you aren't going to scrape the mortar back into your bucket and use it, what's the benefit of raking it?).

[@WaterMonger12]

it is a style

[@Pebblesego]

why didnt you record from the start of column?

[@ricksosa9857]

Wheres his footing? The earth? Ok

[@brando6BL]

Back here in the UK we call your "header joint" a perp joint or perp. Short for perpendicular of course. The trig, or twig, we call a 'tingle'. These are generally made using a strip of thin card doubled over to enclose the line at the fold and held in place by a brick weighing it down. The level tapping question is about level of craftsmanship and also the nature of the level. I was working on a new bus station back in the 70s when my brand-new Stabila 4 foot level took a tumble from the top of a 5-lift pole scaffold. It was sickening to watch it hit what seemed like every bearer and cross-brace on its downward series of collisions until it bounced off a pile of brick into the mud. When I shinned down to the ground I was fearing the worst. I'd only bought it a couple of days beforehand, but when I went off and tested it against the site standard it was spot on all round, undamaged. I couldn't have afforded a replacement - I was still using the WHS kite-pattern trowel, with one edge tempered for cutting brick and a metal pommel that anchored the tang to the handle. We called it the Work Hard or Starve, or the Work Hard and Starve, depending on the going rate. Whatever, I wouldn't have tapped a level with that trowel. Usually I would use the butt-end of the brick hammer to tap the brick to the level line. Like John Graham said, tapping the level was a minor sin when I was doing my time. Use the level to test the work - use the trowel or brick hammer to set the work to the line.

[@nunya7065]

I like using 2 line on soldiers too. You don't have to beat on em/ move em, if they're not plum. A lot of guys won't use 2 lines tho. Stubborn.

[@richnflow69]

Just so you know it's bad practice to teach young bricklayers to hit the level!

[@learntolaybrick]

mark heathcote Just so you know there is a huge difference in hitting a level, and slightly taping on a level. If you level can't handle a tap, it won't survive the modern construction site.

[@gregmiller5907]

thats what im talkin bout

[@mikelbhardin7202]

Richnflow you got to buy a good level so you can "tap" on it

[@troweldemons8566]

I do neighborhood brick fences, I lay over 1000 bricks on columns a day, you gotta hit or tap the level for sure, it’s faster plus use a wood level not metal

[@austinolsheski6408]

I know your not "supposed" to hit your level, but I think we know 90% of the masons do hit there level

[@xivwords5448]

I used to lay. After watching I had a dream I was doing it when I woke up I was like oh no

[@Dotubetoodaloo]

I think that’s with any job when I was working at a chicken plant I dreamed about the job I was doing sometimes even woke up thinking I was doing it 😖

[@Zeus-ys5cj]

Why are you using mortar instead of cement?

[@learntolaybrick]

Cement is a fine binding powder that is never used alone but is a component of both concrete and mortar, as well as stucco, tile grout, and thin-set adhesive. Mortar is composed of cement, fine sands and lime; it is used as a binding material when building with brick, block, and stone.

[@Zeus-ys5cj]

@@learntolaybrick Thanks

[@adamn9660]

You never tap your level! Bad practice telling people to do this

[@billypilgrim7838]

+Adam Newton it's about speed,brick yes block no,been tappin the same crick for ten years

[@wilkyahzee2335]

+billy pilgrim- Crick👍👍

[@wilkyahzee2335]

+billy pilgrim- you can tap on your level. I been using mine for 15 years. don't spend $25 on a level if it's gonna be for masonry. you gotta buy a good crick, smith, or stabila. a heavy duty Erwin is great too.

[@scottrobinson2286]

Tapping my levels for 20 years,you can't take your time when your working commercial,level goes bad just get another.Whats $100 when you make 60k year as a bricky.

[@antoniotapia5563]

No moisture barrier?

[@audiobrad99]

That OSB is rotten by now!

[@JB-if7bu]

Wish I'd seen this before my first masonry project.

[@nicknoland9704]

What are your thoughts on Smith Levels? That and your thoughts on Type N vs Type S mortars for laying brick veneer like in the video?

[@johnboelema3586]

Never use "s" mortar for brick. It is too strong, clay brick are not "structural" if any cracking occurs you want it to be in the joint not the brick. "S" is stronger than the brick.

[@EveronesInvited]

If the how to video isn’t in 360p then I don’t wanna watch it!

[@todlundgren5177]

those mountains make me want to go hiking

[@PatrolOfficer161]

He makes it look very easy! Skilled.

[@AdrianWareBPP-Poet]

Boy them soldiers though. Man do you know how long it took me to learn how to lay them properly. Laying soldiers and headers use to have me frustrated 😂

[@sarahanna68]

What do you with the gaps in the mortar. Or is this just a demo and that normally would not happen.

[@winthropracette332]

Is it bothering anyone that the trowl handle has a huge gouge on it?....put a bumper on that thing man

[@martybrowning6702]

I do floor covering, had no clue on brick laying! All these videos are very helpful! I like doing my own work. I have been practicing, of course no were as good or as fast...but thanks to these videos I can now do my own!!! Thank you for these videos! Wished you lived next to me!!! Would help you for free on the side just to learn more!

[@berthruiz7516]

Aqui esta la el EJEMPLO para todos aquellos que dicen que los GABACHOS no saben trabajar que todo el tiempo le sacatean a los trabajos pesados yo soy MEXICANO y mi Respeto para esta gente que hacen trabajos pesados Ojala con esto mucha gente que habla alo puro BUEY cambien de Opinion

[@megatonexplotion]

Berth Ruiz especialmente a tus paisanos mexicanos

[@uomoman8775]

No AVB behind the brick veneer? House is going to leak like a sieve.

[@jeremiahguthrie]

Ummm, I think I am just going to choose to say nothing.

[@samsonbreed6049]

Your awesome pal 👍

[@Joetribuzzoavonohio]

i like the mic cord from his back.. must be a while ago? we have had whireless for sometime now... lol but he is damm good!!!

[@learntolaybrick]

chimney man Yup filmed back in the 80, these where originally available on VHS.

[@dylancoles4580]

hi can i use brick columns to carry roof trussers

[@goodllookin1722]

Called a norman brick, pretty dirty work

[@carlwitteveen1445]

where is your vapour barrier behind the brick?

[@AccentMasonryLLC]

i love laying brick

[@xivwords5448]

Do any bricks have holes on the outside like the so on the others for grip

[@corriekoeijers3644]

Those bricks behind you are seesawing because you play with the line too much.

[@Batman-wv5ng]

Corrie Koeijers Bricks should never touch the line .

[@MrOitoyboy]

There is closures on you window reveals! That is bad bricklaying.

[@mkrana6018]

love to hear you bcoz your voice resemble to John F Kennedy who is my ideal leader. Your work is also excellent.

[@gregbonham8437]

How does the column carry the load of the gate when the rebar is not part of your footing it’s just floating in the pier

[@23smr]

Short answer rebar needs to be embedded into footing with an L shape. Footings for gates are usually undersized or not deep enough. When planning for a gate you need to consider length and weight of gate, what type of opener is appropriate for column hinge location. You need to plan well and do your homework. I’ve heard it said you can’t overbuild a gate footing!😂

[@popadodge7764]

Isn't this third bond not quarter.

[@richnflow69]

popa dodge he has got it wrong he only has to do the math to work out it is 3rd bond well spotted!

[@richnflow69]

popa dodge actually he has given you the wrong measurements the brick is 3" by 12"

[@MrBrix3]

+mark heathcote 3 5/8 x 11 5/8 to be exact. 4 x 12 are not actual measurements, they are nominal!

[@MrBrix3]

+popa dodge yes you are correct

[@DethDingo]

Yes it is.

[@absolutelynothingtoseehere]

One thing that none of these videos show is how the mason gets the vertical joint the proper width; they seem to eyeball it.

[@23smr]

On a long run lay brick by eyeball- when you get within say 6’ check distance- it should be the layout multiple plus a joint. If layout is say 3” ( brick+ joint) then at 6’ measurement should be around 72 1/2”- check every foot after that making adjustments in joint thickness 😎

[@billk6494]

Nice Video!

[@osuna.2413]

Bill K i

[@robertread6287]

I'm still waiting for my trig

[@georgecrabtree2013]

Roman Corners will touch a wall up nicely.

[@flo-grownplumber6]

Nice video. Unfortunately no brick is safe during an F5 tornado

[@jgavin8283]

Told at college don't tap the level and level plum and range

[@georgegibson707]

What are the cores of the column bricks prefilled with ?

[@learntolaybrick]

They just have mortar in them, during filming we did many many takes, so we tore it down and rebuilt it many times.

[@georgegibson707]

OK, thanks for reply.

[@MMGJ10]

Good video but as a bricklayer I always laugh when it's called 3/4 bond. Everyone does it but it's really 2/3rds bond. Lol. Fellow bricklayers just stare at me when I point that out. Lol.

[@EricBeck]

Well done, sir!

[@robertboyle5370]

I did not see one drunken soldier...bahahahaha

[@adeyemiolodude86]

So simple and precise in explanation.. Nice job!

[@moseswhitehead8684]

Noticed you don't have water barriers on wood framed walls

[@learntolaybrick]

yes in our area through the 80's and 90's it wasn't required and a lot of home owners chose to skip it. Defiantly required by todays codes.

[@123Goldhunter11]

Thanks. Nothing is classier than brick.