String Blocks

Retighten the line as you lay down each new course. After the wall is marked, place the cinder blocks as close as you can to the proposed wall to facilitate the installation. Place the cinder block on the mortar, level with the corner of the wall. Gently hit the cinder block with a hammer so it sits down into the ​mortar mix. This field is required for preventing spam. We have used bricks and mortar to make our profiles, though it may also be done with measuring poles or columns. To setup a profile, you need to identify the points between which you plan to build the walls. The exact specifications of the footer will be determined by local building codes and the dimensions of your wall. This will allow you to keep working at a steady pace, refilling your hand-held board from them. They use several simple tools to check that their work is level as they mortar the masonry into place. Affix the blocks to either end of the row of bricks, with the line pulled tight. Insert wooden stakes across from each other on each side of the hole. Repeat the process crossing over the hole in the other direction. This can be prevented by using a higher quality bonded braided mason’s line. Line used in laying bricks should be 100 percent nylon. A loose braid will allow the line to sag and unravel easily, making it more difficult to use. This adds additional strength and gives you the straight line you need for laying your bricks or blocks faster and more efficiently.

A short demonstration on how to secure mason’s line to a mason block.Everday Masonry Tool Essentials – Masonry String Blocks


The total cinder blocks needed will be 1.125 times the area of the wall but be sure to subtract the openings such as windows, doors or any other architectural feature.

These spaces allow you to build a leveled wall and will be used as reference points to place your next line of cinder blocks.

Start the next row with half of a cinder block. Scrape off excess mortar from cinder block joints, horizontal and vertical, with a trowel. The typical cinder block is 8 by 16 inches meaning that a cinder block covers an area of 1.125 square feet. The phrase, that is enclosed in double quotes “, matches only rows that contain this phrase literally, as it was typed. This video series was created for anyone looking to brush up on the basics of masonry. In this video, you will learn how to set up profiles. This adjustable tool looks like two metal bars with ears on them. The tool depth is set slightly more than the depth of the block. The working wrap should cross over the top of the stretcher bar and rest in the corner between the metal ear and the top of the stretcher bar.

The level must be kept within reach and used frequently, requiring that you lay down other tools. Score a line through the center of the pile of mortar to allow it to spread. Holding a spade trowel at a 30-degree angle, carve small lines between the bricks and the mortar.

Shop Line Blocks at Lowes

Use the handle of the trowel to knock each brick into place and to release any air bubbles that may be in the mortar underneath.

After scoring the lines, hold the chisel on one of them, slightly angled toward the side of the brick that will be kept and used on the wall.

Masonry Line Block

My uncle is a retired brick layer and sent me a video of how a line block works. Very helpful.