How to Build Interior Brick Floors
- 1). Locate the center of the room by snapping a chalk line at the midpoint between two parallel walls, using a chalk reel. Always start installing brick from the center, working your way to the perimeter of the room.
- 2). Mix thin-set mortar with water until it achieves the consistency of toothpaste, using an electric drill with a paddle attachment. Only mix enough mortar that can be used in 20 minutes. Otherwise, the mortar will set too quickly to be used.
- 3). Apply a layer of thin-set mortar to the side of one of the chalk lines, using a notched trowel. Work in sections that do not exceed 9 square feet. When applying mortar, always hold the notched trowel at a 45-degree angle to the floor.
- 4). Press the first brick into the mortar, twisting slightly and making sure that it is level with one of the chalk lines. Place another brick near the first brick, using the same twisting motion to set it into the mortar. Use plastic tile spacers to make sure that the mortar lines are even.
- 5). Continue laying the brick veneer in sections until the entire room is finished. Use a wet tile saw to cut any bricks that are too large to complete the pattern. Remove any tile spacers that are still in place. Allow the bricks and mortar to cure for at least 12 hours before proceeding.
- 6). Apply a layer of brick sealant using a short-nap paint roller. Wait 24 hours to allow the brick sealant to cure.
- 7). Fill the spaces between the bricks with grout, using a rubber grout float. Add grout from several different directions to be sure that the channels between the bricks are adequately filled. Work in small sections, and clean off the bricks using a damp sponge before proceeding to the next area. Buff the bricks with a cloth to remove any remaining haze as the grout begins to dry.
