Need help: wrapping wood columns with brick

[miketyler]

We bought our house 6 years ago and it came with several pallets of left over brick. My wife and I are getting sick of looking at them (despite that they are neatly stacked) and one idea we had was to wrap the base of our porch columns. The problem is that the columns are 12" square and I am unsure how an experienced bricklayer would address this. I have done a lot of projects on my own and but this will be my first brick laying project.

Can one of you guys look at my pics and tell me how best to address this?

 

[The Cobbler]

What you see is not structural, remove the facade and there is likely a 6x6 or 4x4 post underneath it all . It will make for a less bulky finished product

 

[nehog]

Sure there are not steel pipes inside those posts?

 

[Simeon]

Have you checked that you have enough bricks, including an allowance for cutting given the awkward dimensions?

Wouldn't want to get part way through and run out.

 

[miketyler]

Not sure what is under the columns but we are only wrapping the bottom and coming up about 32" to 36" from the ground. Pretty sure we have enough brick for this as it loos like we have about three pallets worth. I had planned to wrap the wood with the same type wrapping they use on houses before adding brick veneer.

 

[The Cobbler]

then I would remove the facade and brick up, have the facade rest on top of the finished brick .

 

[miketyler]

I can do that but am unsure how that would help me. The bricks are typical length and from what I can tell the smallest inside square without cutting them would be about 16"? I did want the brick base to be only a bricks thickness larger than the column. I no doubt will have to cut some bricks but was looking for some advice on the best lay pattern and/or technique for this project.

 

[CTyankee]

then I would remove the facade and brick up, have the facade rest on top of the finished brick .

If your going to do it, IMO this is the route to go. Even if you wrap the column I don't see how you would be able to flash it to prevent water infiltration. Personally I'd try and find another use for the brick.

 

[Engineer61]

Wrap a wood column in tar paper (2 layers) or use one of the new synthetic non-woven fabrics so that condensation on the brick can't directly touch the wood but can still move around and get out through the weep openings in the top and bottom courses of the brick. The standard running bond you show is as strong as it gets for this single layer brick facade.
When you remove the wooden facade on those columns look at the bottom of a wood column and make sure it isn't directly set on the concrete - again moisture will condense on the concrete and get wicked up by the wood which then rots.

 

[f150skidoo]

Well I'm a bricklayer/stonemason by trade. If i was building this i would tear off all the wood covering to reveal the structural post. Build your brick pillar to what ever size you want. Once you get to your desired height I would cap the pillar buy pouring concrete then reinstall the wood covering 4" smaller all the way around then your brick pillar. Also if it a wood structural post rap it in plastic since wood and masonry should never touch. I can't tell you how to lay bricks from just reading words on the internet so go on you tube and watch videos.

 

[f150skidoo]

Wrap a wood column in tar paper (2 layers) or use one of the new synthetic non-woven fabrics so that condensation on the brick can't directly touch the wood but can still move around and get out through the weep openings in the top and bottom courses of the brick. The standard running bond you show is as strong as it gets for this single layer brick facade.
When you remove the wooden facade on those columns look at the bottom of a wood column and make sure it isn't directly set on the concrete - again moisture will condense on the concrete and get wicked up by the wood which then rots.

Pillars/columns shouldn't have weep holes, there supposed to be filled solid which I forgot to add in my post.

 

[miketyler]

Build your brick pillar to what ever size you want

Yes, thats the question. Will check out youtube