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Expert Tips for Brick Installation

Words: Allison Goley
Photos: General Shale

Clay brick has long been valued for both its durability and aesthetic appeal, but achieving a clean, consistent build that will endure for a lifetime depends just as much on job site discipline, install strategy, and preventative moisture management as it does on craftsmanship.

From managing site contamination before the first brick is laid to properly cleaning a finished wall, the small decisions made during staging and installation directly influence the risk of staining, moisture damage, and other issues that can permanently alter the brick’s visual appearance and structural integrity.

The following recommendations focus on proven field practices that keep brickwork performing and looking its best, while also highlighting creative techniques that improve both appearance and efficiency.

Smart Job Site Practices
When brick is delivered to the job site, delivery should be scheduled as close as possible to the installation date to minimize how long the brick sits unused. When on-site storage is necessary, it must be handled properly to prevent staining and moisture-related issues. Store brick cubes off the ground to avoid mud contamination and moisture absorption, and position them away from runoff or other sources of site debris that may introduce soluble salts.

If the cubes arrive wrapped, remove or loosen the wrapping to allow the brick to breathe and release trapped moisture. Cover the cubes with a breathable, waterproof cover to protect them from rain while preventing condensation buildup. These steps help limit unnecessary moisture exposure that can contribute to staining concerns such as efflorescence and vanadium.


Unnecessary moisture exposure that can contribute to staining concerns, such as the efflorescence shown here. This can be removed with proper post-construction cleaning techniques.

Proper procedure at the end of each workday is also essential. Protect all unfinished masonry walls from weather during construction, as exposure to rain can introduce moisture that contributes to efflorescence and other water-related performance issues. Scaffolding boards should be tilted up at the end of the day to reduce mud splatter on the wall during rainfall.


Scaffolding boards should always be tilted up at the end of the day to reduce discoloration or staining on the wall, as shown here.

After full masonry construction is complete, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for post-construction cleaning. Failure to follow these instructions can result in altering the brick’s appearance via efflorescence, manganese staining, vanadium staining, or acid burn.

Drainage Wall Fundamentals: Airspace and Clean Cavity
When masonry walls encounter problems, water-related issues are often one of the primary factors. Brick masonry exposed to a disproportionate amount of water may have dimensional changes; efflorescence on exterior surfaces; and cracking, crazing, spalling or disintegration due to repeated freeze-thaw cycling. Designing for water resistance requires evaluation of several items, including the selection of wall type and the use of water-resistive barriers, flashing, and weeps.


Designing for water resistance requires evaluation of several items, including selection of wall type and the use of water-resistive barriers, flashing, and weeps. This diagram depicts the proper placement of each.

A cavity wall is designed to collect any moisture that penetrates the exterior wythe of brickwork and redirect it out of the wall assembly. However, a cavity wall can only manage water effectively if the drainage plane stays open and functional. This requires maintaining the correct airspace behind the veneer. Provide a minimum 1 in. (25.4 mm) air space in cavity walls, as required by code for drainage wall construction, and ensure the cavity remains clear enough for water to drain freely.

Mortar droppings should be minimized during placement, especially at the base of the wall, where accumulation can bridge the cavity and block drainage. Where job conditions increase the risk of mortar collecting at the bottom of the airspace, mortar collection devices or drainage materials may be used to keep the cavity clear. When continuous insulation is installed within the cavity, maintain at least 1 in. of space between the insulation and the back of the brick to preserve drainage, avoid mortar bridging, and prevent moisture from being trapped against backup materials.

Moisture Management: Flashing
Through-wall flashing is a non-negotiable water management detail in veneer systems because it intercepts moisture that enters the wall and directs it back to the exterior. Flashing is required at wall bases, shelf angles, sills, heads, parapets, projections, transitions, and other discontinuities, and it must be installed to function as a complete drainage system rather than a partial “strip” detail.

Flashing should extend to or beyond the exterior face of the wall, be lapped a minimum of 6 in., be sealed to maintain continuity, and include end dams turned up at least 1 in. at discontinuities to prevent water from running off the ends and into the wall assembly. Flashing must also be fully adhered to and supported to prevent sagging, which can trap moisture, promote leakage, or allow water to migrate inward. For best performance, integrate flashing with the water-resistive barrier in a shingled fashion, so drainage follows gravity and exits the wall rather than being directed behind the water-resistive barrier (WRB) or into the backup.

Moisture Management: Weeps
Weeps are the outlet that makes the entire drainage wall concept work, and when they are undersized, blocked, or spaced too far apart, moisture accumulates at the base of the wall instead of draining out. Open head joint weeps are preferred because they provide the most reliable exit path and are easier to verify during installation. Recommended spacing is ≤ 24 in. (610 mm) on center. While building codes may allow weeps spaced up to 33 in. (838 mm) with a minimum diameter of 3/16 in. (4.8 mm), tighter spacing generally improves drainage consistency and reduces the risk of localized saturation.

Wick weeps should be spaced ≤ 16 in. (406 mm) because their drainage capacity is more limited and can be affected by mortar contact. Weep tubes are not recommended due to clogging risk, reduced long-term reliability, and increased likelihood of becoming blocked by mortar droppings or job site debris.

Moisture Management: Sloped Sills, Caps, and Tops of Walls
Brickwork can perform exceptionally well in wet climates, but horizontal surfaces and projections will always be the first areas to show staining and moisture damage if the detailing does not promote shedding. Projections such as sills and caps must be sloped to drain water away from the wall surface rather than allowing it to sit and absorb, which increases the likelihood of water penetration, staining, and freeze-thaw stress at edges and joints. Flashing should be included beneath sills, caps, and parapet copings so water that enters at joints or transitions is collected and directed outward.

At parapets, metal copings are preferred because they provide stronger moisture protection and better long-term resistance when paired with continuous membrane flashing, reducing the risk of water saturating the masonry below and driving deterioration at the most exposed portion of the wall.


This diagram depicts the proper installation of flashing beneath sills, caps, and parapet copings so water that enters at joints or transitions is collected and directed outward.

Moisture Management: Full Head Joints
Head joints are one of the most common and most underestimated water entry points in masonry veneer, and poorly filled joints can turn an otherwise well-detailed wall into a chronic moisture performer. Full, properly tooled head joints are essential in both drainage and barrier wall systems to limit initial water penetration paths and reduce the amount of moisture that enters the assembly. In barrier walls, head joints must be solidly filled because the wall relies on mass and continuity to resist water entry; voids or shallow head joints allow water to bypass the storage mass and move inward.

In cavity walls, properly filled head joints on the exterior wythe reduce the amount of water that reaches the cavity and improve overall wall performance by limiting the volume of water that must be managed by flashing and weeps, reducing the potential for sustained wetting and long-term moisture-related issues.


This diagram depicts the proper installation of flashing at a window head to allow water to exit outward.

Install Efficiency: King and Queen Size Coursing
Due to the larger unit size, king and queen size brick can substantially reduce the cost of brick veneer construction, the amount of brick and mortar used, and the installation time. For example, a square foot of wall surface uses only five king and six queen size brick versus seven typical modular size brick. A typical king-size brick has dimensions of 2 5/8 in. width, 2 ¾ in. height, and 9 5/8 in. length. A typical queen-size brick has dimensions of 2 ¾ in. width by 2 ¾ in. height by 7 5/8 in. length.

King and queen size brick have a strong performance record and have been used for over twenty years for both residential and commercial construction. However, many masons hesitate to use these sizes because the coursing requirements are not as widely understood. King and queen sizes work best with a 1/3 in. bond pattern, but a ½ in. bond can still be used by clipping brick at the turn of a corner. This requires a king brick to be cut down to 7 ¾ in. in length and for the queen to be cut down to 6 7/8 in.

Soldier Coursing Over Openings
Using a soldier course across the top of an opening is a popular way to add a strong decorative accent. However, returning the wall to a running bond above the soldier course can be challenging. A common, but visually awkward, solution is to rip a brick into a thin sliver and install a very narrow stretcher course above the soldiers.

 
As you can see from these diagrams, the course directly above an opening should consist of a staggered combination of rowlocks and clipped soldiers.

However, this creates an inconsistent look, and if too thin, these bricks are more susceptible to freeze-thaw damage. If you find yourself in this situation, the better approach is to use a rowlock combined with a properly cut soldier brick, so the coursing transitions cleanly back into the running bond. The course directly above the opening consists of a staggered combination of rowlocks and clipped soldiers, with each alternating, one acting as the lower unit and the next as the upper. When laid this way, the running bond above aligns perfectly. The key is controlling the total height by properly cutting the soldier bricks, ensuring the entire wall returns to correct coursing without any thin, awkward filler pieces.

By combining disciplined job site handling and protection practices with correctly detailed drainage components and clean, well-coursed transitions, masons can reduce staining risk, improve wall performance, and deliver a finished product that stays sharp for the long haul.


About: Technical Talks
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