A brick wall is an impressive addition to any home. It adds appeal, privacy and insulation. However, if you are unsure how to build a brick wall yourself, it may seem like a daunting project. While there is some basic engineering involved, you can easily learn how to build a simple brick wall with the right tools and materials.
Brick is one of the most versatile building materials on earth. With it, you can build a garage, natural arch or archway, or even an entire house. There are many different types of brick – from clay to concrete and other composite types. The type of brick will determine its strength, how well it weathers, how durable it is and how long it will last.
The most important thing about fire pits is that they’re safe, so it’s critical to plan ahead. You’ll want to find a large and flat open space for your fire pit where you can keep an eye on the surrounding area, but also make sure there are no overhanging branches or any other flammable materials nearby. Before you do any digging, call your local building department to see if there are any restrictions on building fire pits in your area—and don’t forget to check if you need a permit! After you’ve planned out the location of your fire pit and checked with the appropriate authorities, get ready to start working.
STEP 1: Determine the fire pit’s location
When choosing a location for your fire pit, consider the following:
- Choose a level area. Make sure that the area is level and free of rocks or other debris that could be tripped over by guests.
- Choose an area that is away from trees and buildings. While you may want your fire to burn brightly at night, it’s important to also keep safety in mind when selecting your site; if possible, locate the pit at least ten feet away from trees or buildings so as not to risk them catching on fire if embers get too close.
- Choose an area that is easy to access and maintain. You don’t want to have to walk far just because there was no room left behind other people’s cars! Your choice should also be one where cleaning up after guests will be simple because if they don’t clean up after themselves…you know what happens next.
STEP 2: Level out the ground
To make sure the fire pit is level, you’ll need to use a laser level. A shovel and rake are also helpful for this step. You can also use a spirit level if you wish, but it’s not necessary.
If you have access to a laser level and a spirit level, use these tools instead of the other ones listed above.
STEP 3: Create the fire pit base.
Step 3: Create the fire pit base.
To make sure that you have a level surface for your bricks, you will want to build up some sand on the base of the fire pit. This is called an “embankment.” The purpose of this embankment is to raise the bricks away from any moisture that may collect in your garden and also helps prevent bugs from getting into your fire pit.
Once you’ve built up enough sand to create an embankment around all sides of your fire pit, place your first brick at one end of it. Align it with its neighbor so they are parallel with each other and even with those below them (if there are any). Continue placing bricks until all three sides are covered by a single layer of material. Then add another layer on top so there’s no gap between them—this will help keep air flowing freely through all parts during use.
STEP 4: Add the layer of sand
The next step to building a brick fire pit is adding the layer of sand. This is one of the most important parts of the process, as it provides insulation and protection for your bricks.
The sand will not only insulate the bricks from heat, but it will also keep them in place during use and prevent them from sinking into the ground when wet. Sand can be used as an alternative to cement in certain circumstances, depending on how much you want to spend on this project.
STEP 5: Lay down bricks
Lay the bricks.
- Place a brick in each corner of your fire pit, then add one more on top of each corner brick to create a square.
- To ensure that your bricks are level, fill a bucket with water and place it next to the fire pit. Then use a level to keep checking that all of your bricks are straight. If any need adjusting, simply lift up or drop down as needed until they’re level again! You can also do this by eye if you don’t have access to an actual builder’s level tool because we all know what we mean when we say “level.” We’re pretty sure our dentist has never had any experience with construction before but still knew exactly what we meant by “level” when she told us not to bite too hard on our toothbrush because she could tell from looking at our gums that they weren’t quite right yet.
With some careful planning and careful work, you can create a fire pit that will last for years.
As a general rule of thumb, you should level your bricks before you place them. This will ensure that they are all at the same height and that they are neatly placed in their respective positions.
Placing bricks is easily done with a trowel or shovel, depending on the type of brick you’re using. Just make sure that each brick is level with both its neighbor and the ground around it—you want your fire pit to look good for years.
Final words
And that’s it. This post has explained how to build a simple brick fire pit. Your finished product will be a durable and attractive addition to your backyard that you can enjoy for years to come.
