How to Install a Brick Wall on a Basement Foundation

Attach sheets of 2 1/2-inch galvanized mesh on to the surface of the foundation. Use three-fourths-inch long and three-eighths-inch wide concrete fasteners to secure the mesh to the surface of the concrete.

Apply a coat of mortar over the surface of the mesh with a trowel. Work in 2- to 3-foot sections at a time to prevent the mortar from drying before you are able to set brick onto it.

Start at a corner in the foundation. Apply a 1-inch thick layer of mortar onto the back of a brick veneer. Set the brick onto the bottom of the corner, moving it about a bit to create a bond between the mortar on the wall and the mortar on the back of the brick.

Continue adding bricks in this fashion, working your way from the bottom to the top of the foundation. Use different sized and shaped bricks and set them in a staggered fashion, with one-half to 1 inch gaps between them to give the facade an authentic look. If you want to cut any bricks, set a chisel on top of the location you want to make your cut and bang a brick hammer on top of it to break the material.

Fill a grout bag with mortar. Squeeze the mortar between the gaps in the brick. Allow the mortar to become firm, but not completely dry.

Run a striking tool over the surface of the mortar to smooth it out and get it to a depth that you want.

Sweep a hand-held broom over the mortar to further smooth it and to wipe away any debris and mortar on the surface of the bricks.