Brick siding installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What brick siding installation is

Brick siding installation builds a brick or brick veneer wall on a foundation ledge, with ties, weep holes, flashing and mortar joints. Thin brick veneer can also be applied over a prepared wall to get a masonry look. People call for a new brick wall on an addition or new build, or for a masonry look on an older exterior.

Signs you need it

  • A brick or stone veneer that is cracked, bulging or pulling away from the wall behind it
  • White salt staining, called efflorescence, on the face of brick walls after rain
  • Mortar joints that are crumbling, hollow or missing in several places
  • Water stains or dampness on the inside of a wall that has brick outside
  • A new addition or home design that calls for masonry on the exterior walls

What the pro does

  • Set the foundation ledge and the first course level, and install flashing at the base of the wall where the brick starts
  • Lay the brick in mortar joints with the courses even and the bond pattern set out before the wall is built up
  • Install ties to the backing wall at the spacing the design calls for, and keep the air space behind the veneer clear
  • Place weep holes, flashing and shelf angles at openings and at the top of the wall so water can drain out
  • Tool the mortar joints, clean the face of the brick, and check the wall for plumb and level

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Brick type and size, since thin brick, full brick and specialty face brick each need different labor
  • Wall area and the number of openings, corners and offsets to cut around
  • Whether the job is a new brick wall on a foundation or a thin veneer over an existing wall
  • Foundation or shelf angle work needed to carry the brick load
  • Scaffolding, lift or crane access on tall or steep walls
  • Mortar color, joint style and cleaning of the brick face
  • Permit and inspection requirements for the new masonry

What a written quote should spell out

  • Brick product name, size, color and manufacturer, with the sample number
  • Mortar mix, joint style and color, and whether the joints are tooled
  • Tie type, spacing, and the air space and drainage plan behind the veneer
  • Flashing, weep hole and shelf angle details listed by location
  • Foundation or ledge work that must be finished before the masonry starts
  • Cleaning method for the brick face and how mortar stains are removed

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What is the drainage plan behind the brick, and where are the weep holes and flashing?
  • What tie system are you using, and how is it fastened into the backing wall?
  • Is the foundation or ledge strong enough for the brick you are installing?
  • Will you match the mortar color and joint style to what I already have?
  • How do you protect the brick from rain while the mortar cures?
  • Who is on the scaffold, and how is the scaffold inspected and secured?
  • Can you show me a finished wall with similar openings and corners?

Red flags

  • Thin brick veneer applied over a wall with no moisture barrier or drainage plan
  • No flashing or weep holes listed for the base, the openings or the top of the wall
  • Mortar mix or joint style that is not matched to the brick, or joints left untooled, which can leave them open to water
  • Cleaning done with a strong acid on the brick face and no plan to protect nearby finishes
  • Pressure to start before the foundation or ledge has been checked

What you can do yourself

You can safely walk around the house and check the brick and mortar from the ground for cracks, bulging or missing joints, and take photos to share with a pro. Masonry involves heavy material, mixing mortar, working at height and sometimes hazardous cleaning chemicals, so leave the work to a pro. Call a pro for any bulging or cracked wall, any water inside a wall, or any repointing above ground reach.

Licenses and permits

Brick and masonry work is commonly done by licensed masonry or general contractors, and new masonry walls often need a permit and inspection. Check your state and local licensing and building office requirements before the work begins.

Brick siding installation questions

Is thin brick the same as real brick?

No. Thin brick is a veneer that is bonded or set to a prepared wall and does not carry load. Full brick walls carry their own weight and need a proper foundation. A pro should explain the difference for your project.

Why do my bricks have white stains?

The white stains are efflorescence, which is salt carried out of the masonry by water. It often means water is moving through the wall. A pro should check the flashing, the drainage and the joints before cleaning.

Can I repoint old mortar myself?

Repointing is skilled work, and it is easy to damage the brick or the joint if it is done wrong. A pro should match the mortar strength and color and find the cause of the failure.

How long does brick siding last?

Brick can last a long time when it is built and maintained correctly. The mortar and the flashing need the most attention, so have a pro check the joints and flashing on a regular schedule.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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