How to Extend a Stone & Mortar Wall
- 1). Clean your existing wall with a pressure washer and pressure washer cleaner. The pressure washer will remove mildew and all pore-clogging dirt and grime. Pressure washers can be rented from home improvement stores. Be careful in choosing and using a cleaner as it may have chemicals that can harm nearby vegetation. Once pressured-washed, rinse the wall thoroughly with fresh water.
- 2). Dig out a footing in the ground if you are making your wall longer. The footing should be 3 inches deep and the same width as your wall. Use a dirt tamper tool to tamp down the bed of the footing to ensure it is firm, flat and even.
- 3). Prepare the mortar in a wheelbarrow by adding water. Add water gradually until you achieve a thick, pasty consistency. Grout dye can be added if you need to change the color to match the previous mortar.
- 4). Trowel a thick layer of mortar into the footing and onto the side edge of the wall for the first brick, if you are making your wall longer. Trowel a thick layer of mortar onto the top of the wall for the first brick if you are making your wall higher. Mortar joints should be approximately 3/8 inch thick.
- 5). Place your stone and push it firmly into the mortar. Continue to add mortar and stones to complete your project. Work in successive rows.
- 6). Use a jointer tool or the end of a wood dowel to smooth down the mortar joints. Smooth down mortar joints as soon as you sense the mortar just starting to set up. Don't wait too long, as overly dried mortar will end up sticking to the tool and getting pulled out from between the bricks.
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