Can different types of brick be used together?

Question

I have taking the garden wall down because it's falling down & needs to be rebuild. It is made from bricks with indent (I think it's called "frog" indent, which I intend to recycle and use to re-build the wall. But these would not be enough for a new wall though. I have also collected some old, but unused bricks, and they are wire-cut bricks, solid ones, different colour, but I thought I can mix-n-match to get different bricks evenly distributed, without patches of colour.
The question is: can I use these two together in one build? Is there any special mortar that I need and any tips on cleaning reclamed bricks or taking the wall down with minimum damage to the bricks would be appreciated.
Thank you.

BTW - the wall is falling because it is old and have no support pillats at all throughout few houses.
Some of the bricks are different sizes - lengthwise. Maybe I can do some kind of pattern where the size difference would not be an issue and it will look as if it supposed to be this way? Any ideas on the brick wall patterns?

Answer 1

Providing these are both clay bricks there is no problem mixing the two types. However it may be better to lay in a Fletcher bond, using standard mortar.

Answer 2

well if you can figure a way to make them work together, they should work OK.

Unless they are firebrick or some special brick regular mortar will be OK. Soaking the bricks for a few days before you lay them makes a stronger wall, since then the bricks don't suck the moisture out of the mortar too fast.


A cold chisel and a hammer on the mortar will take the old bricks down, and a chipping hammer on the old cement on them will usually work. you will probably break some, if they are old, they will want to break.


First though, you have to look at why the old wall failed. Water is probably the cause. pressure from the earth itself against it might be another. A single course of bricks has little strength. this is just inherent in the material. When homes were actually build of all brick, not frame houses with a brick veneer, the walls were at least three courses thick, and interlocked. taller homes the base walls were even thicker.

you will have to consider ways of keeping the same thing from happening again. Without actually seeing the site, I can't say why it failed. Drainage is usually a problem. allow for good drainage when you build the new wall.

Answer 3

You would want the height of the bricks to be pretty close to the same size so that the bed joint looks consistent. A rock or block hammer would be handy to have for removing and cleaning bricks. smack the wall in the bed joint to loosen bricks. No you don't need a special mortar mix.

Answer 4

Yes use them together for artistic purposes. If the wall will be decorative only--then dry stack the bricks--leaning them in 1/4 inch each row.
If you are using the wall to hold back dirt or water, then use cement. Be sure and include anchors under the surface of the dirt, as well as weep holes.