So, youâve got a pile of old bricks collecting dust in the corner of your yard, and youâre thinking, âHey, letâs turn these relics into something epic!â Weâve all been there. Maybe youâve even tried the whole âdry-layâ method before, only to watch your bricks migrate sideways after the first rain. (Donât worryâwe wonât judge.) But hereâs the good news: laying old brick edging with mortar isnât as daunting as it looks, especially when youâve got a few pro tips up your sleeve.
At The Brick Pit here in Australia, weâve resurrected more wonky garden edges than we can count. Trust us: nothing beats the timeless charm of mortared brick borders. Theyâre sturdy, theyâre stylish, and theyâll outlast your neighborâs flimsy plastic edging by⌠well, forever. Letâs roll up our sleeves and turn those forgotten bricks into the envy of the suburb.
Gathering Your Tools & Materials (No, You Canât Just Wing It)
Before we start playing in the dirt, letâs talk supplies. Skipping this step is like trying to bake a cake without flourâit will end in tears. Hereâs what youâll need:
Tools:
- A sturdy shovel (preferably one that hasnât been chewed by your dog)
- Rubber mallet (for gentle persuasion)
- Masonry trowel (the MVP of this project)
- Level (unless youâre into abstract, sloping landscapes)
- Stiff-bristle brush (for cleanup)
- Wheelbarrow or mixing tub (for mortar)
Materials:
- Old bricks (clean and free of major cracksâcheck your stash!)
- Type N mortar mix (our go-to for outdoor projects)
- Sand (for leveling the base)
- Water (obviously)
- Optional: Plastic sheeting (if rainâs on the horizon)
Pro Tip: If your brick collection is looking a little sparse, swing by The Brick Pit. Weâve got weathered bricks with just the right amount of rustic charmâplus mortar mixes that wonât leave you cursing halfway through the job.
Prepping the Area: Digging In Without Digging a Grave for Your Project
Letâs get real:Â a solid foundation is 90% of the battle. Skip this, and your bricks will sag faster than a soufflĂŠ in a thunderstorm.
- Mark Your Territory
Use a garden hose or spray paint to outline where your edging will go. Curves? No problemâjust keep the bends gentle unless you enjoy cutting bricks with a chisel (spoiler: you donât). - Dig a Trench
Aim for a depth of 6â8 inches. This gives room for a 4-inch gravel/sand base and 2 inches of brick. If your soilâs softer than butter, go deeper. - Level the Base
Add a 4-inch layer of gravel for drainage, followed by 2 inches of sand. Tamp it down, then spray it lightly with water to compact. Check for levelnessâthis isnât the time for guesswork.
Mixing Mortar: Where Art Meets Science (Mostly Science)
Mortar mixing is like making pancake batter: too runny, and itâs a mess; too thick, and youâll regret your life choices. Hereâs how we nail it every time at The Brick Pit:
- Combine mortar mix and water in your wheelbarrow. Follow the bagâs ratio, but start slowâyou can always add more water.
- Mix until itâs the consistency of peanut butter. If it slides off your trowel in globs, youâre golden. If it pours like soup⌠well, time to add more mix.
- Work in small batches. Mortar dries faster than your patience on hold with customer service.
FYI:Â Type N mortar is our top pick for edging. Itâs durable but flexible enough to handle Australiaâs moody weather.
Laying Bricks: Channel Your Inner Zen Master
This is where the magic happens. But remember:Â precision beats speed. Channel your inner monk and take it one brick at a time.
- Butter the Bottom
Use your trowel to spread a 1-inch layer of mortar on the trench base. - Set the First Brick
Press it firmly into the mortar, then tap it with the rubber mallet to seat it. Check for levelâfront to back and side to side. - Butter the Sides
Apply mortar to the end of the next brick before snugging it against the first. This creates a strong bond. - Repeat, Check, Repeat
Keep laying bricks, checking every 3â4 for level and alignment. If oneâs off, fix it nowânot after the mortar sets.
Watch Out For:
- Mortar oozing between bricks? Scrape it off with the trowel edge.
- Gaps wider than 1/4 inch? Cut a brick to fit (or hide it under a plant later).
Curing & Cleanup: The Waiting Game
Mortar takes 24â48 hours to set, but full strength takes about a week. Resist the urge to poke it! Hereâs how to survive the wait:
- Cover with plastic if rain threatens.
- Mist lightly in hot weather to prevent cracking.
- Brush off excess mortar once itâs dry but not rock-hard (think âcrumbly cookieâ texture).
Maintenance: Keep It Classy, Not Crumbly
Even the best-laid bricks need love. Hereâs how to keep your edging sharp:
- Inspect joints yearly and repoint any cracked mortar.
- Weed regularlyâthose little green jerks can pry bricks apart over time.
- Pressure wash gently to keep moss at bay.
FAQs: Because We Know Youâve Got Questions
Q: Can I reuse old bricks with existing mortar?
A: Absolutely! Chip off the old mortar with a chisel and wire brush. Just avoid bricks that are crumblingâtheyâve earned retirement.
Q: How long before I can walk on the edging?
A: Give it 48 hours for light use. For heavy foot traffic, wait a full week.
Q: Can I add color to the mortar?
A: Yep! Use mortar dye for a custom look. Swing by The Brick Pitâweâve got shades to match any aesthetic.
Wrapping Up: Your Gardenâs About to Level Up
And there you have it: a mortared brick edge thatâll make your garden look like itâs managed by a professional (because, well, it kinda is now). Sure, it takes a little elbow grease, but the payoff is a border thatâs equal parts tough and timeless.
Hit a snag? Need more bricks? Thatâs what weâre here for. At The Brick Pit, weâre obsessed with helping Aussies turn their backyard dreams into realityâwithout the headache. Drop by our yard or give us a buzz, and weâll hook you up with everything from vintage bricks to mortar mixing pro tips.
Now go forth and build something thatâll outlive your Wi-Fi router. Happy laying!