How to Build a Wall to Ground Level
The Egyptians were probably the first to devise sound construction methods and much of what they invented still survives today in various forms of building technique. They used crude but effective versions of line-band, plumb-bobs, straight edges, levels and a fixed right-angle to check corners and columns. They also conceived the principle of using a 'ranging rod', which is a lath long enough to set out the brick and block courses with joints from the top of the concrete foundation to the underside of the damp-proof course. Adopting the same method, you can use a 'ranging rod' as a measuring stick for any point around the building.
First, build the corners as indicated in the illustration below. Check the levels from corner to corner around the building, using either sophisticated levelling equipment, which you can hire, or a builder's level available from most good building suppliers. These masonry walls are best constructed with reject engineering brick, concrete foundation blocks or a stronger block specified by a structural engineer at the building approval stage. Regardless of the material used, the principle remains the same.
Typically, the base sections are cross-bonded and brought up to support the thickness of walls above it. There are load-bearing calculations involved here and your architect will have used the appropriate formula when they entered details on your approved plans. Use line-band to join the corners and anchor them in place with course irons (available from a building supplier) or weight them with loose bricks. Next, lay each course of brickwork to join the stepped corners. Keep an eye on the quality of your trowel-work and keep the brick faces clean. Practise your pointing and bedding and continually monitor the accuracy of each vertical and horizontal plane.
At the end of this exercise, you may be bursting with confidence and pleased at having acquired a new skill. Alternatively, you may have decided the quality of the work undertaken below ground level lacks visual appeal and now consider it prudent to get competitive quotes for someone else to construct the remaining shell. In any event, it is another task completed and you can feel more reassured about the whole project having reached ground level.
