When to use a brick pier?

Back in the 1930s and 40s, brick piers were frequently used for house foundations. Fast forward to today and when it comes to house foundations, they’ve largely been replaced by other methods that are stronger and cheaper. So, when should you use a brick pier these days?

Read on to find out. But first…

What is a brick pier?

A brick pier is a vertical column made of bricks and mortar. They are typically used to support structures that are built on top of them, or to secure walls that they’re built into. However, they can also be freestanding.

There are several ways to construct a brick pier. They’re often made with a hollow centre which can then be filled with concrete or reinforced rods to strengthen them. But they can also be built from bricks and mortar alone in different bonds (patterns of bricklaying).

When to use a brick pier

Nowadays, brick piers are often used in walls and to support structures like pergolas. You’ll also frequently find freestanding brick piers used in all sorts of places – for instance, to support a gate, hold a mailbox or simply mark the entrance of a driveway.

Sometimes, freestanding brick piers are even used as monuments, with a plaque attached.

When to use brick piers in a wall

When brick piers are used to secure a wall, you’ll typically find several of them spaced out along the structure. Even very small single-brick walls could benefit from having a brick pier at any end that’s freestanding.

But how often should you use brick piers in a wall?

Well, a single-brick wall that’s more than 12 inches high should have brick piers at least every 3 metres. You’ll also need your brick wall and piers to rest on a foundation. Often, a strip footing will be used, which is essentially a straight-sided trough that’s filled with concrete.

Find a bricklayer

Whether you’re looking to build a brick wall supported by brick piers – or a freestanding brick pier – don’t hesitate to find a bricklayer near you. Not only will they have all the necessary tools and knowledge to complete the job to a high standard, but they’ll be able to save you a ton of time and energy too!