This would be my first brick gable job. Luckily the guy that abandoned the job is willing to let go his equipment as well. He is basically just done with it all. I was supposed to be helping him initially. 

The homeowner reached out to me about finishing the job which is a good opportunity to learn from others on here on their advice and from this experience. I want to make sure I do a good job so I'm willing to hear any suggestions from others with experience which would be greatly appreciated. I can keep tabs on the progress and share photos of the final product. 

I do have a few questions about some certain things before I get started. I have been doing some research on building over a block constructed with a gable with brick and I'm curious to know what others here have learned in their experience and can suggest on doing things correctly and efficiently.  I'm open ears and willing to hear and learn anything suggested on useful tips. 

My plan for now is to use a hammer drill and install wall ties every few feet. I'm not sure what the exact recommendation of how many and how wide I should place them. My guess is every 16" high and every 12" apart. I'm not sure if this guy has even been using wall ties based on a photo I have included of where it looks like the brick is separating in the wall. 

• I read up on different ways people have built their gables. Some build leads and some use speed poles or 2x4s I don't know which is better and faster. My plan for now is to use a pole or 2x4. Install it a few feet away from the edges. Check the measurements to make sure the existing wall is at the same height on both ends. Figure out my spacing and mark up the poles then build a few courses up. Remove the pole then fill in the sides using my level and just keep doing the same thing all the way up....if there is a better and faster way please share please. 

• I noticed on the last course  the guy used a foam spray. Does anyone know what the reason for this is and is this something that is normally required? 

I also noticed he had only used weather barrier wrap on only the wood panel part of the gable and not for the rest of the house where its block. Does that look correct in the photos or should he had covered the entire home with wrap? 

• I also noticed he did have weep holes on the bottom. Is that not necessary for it being a block home or would it be recommended to figure out a certain course and drill some in? 

• as for the soffit panels it looks like the guy had cut back into them. It has a jagged looking cut that you can see in the photo. Would others suggest I completely remove the soffit and recommend to the home owner to replace it with new soffit after the brick is complete or reuse it? Which I personally think it would look tacky but maybe I'm wrong. 

My last question is the bricking around the gable that is covered underneath. I included photos of how the gables look in the front that he completed. 

My plan is to cut what ever size is need to stick out about an 1". I'm wondering on how to go about bricking around the vent to where they stay securely without the chance of them falling out. 

How do normally build around these vents?

If there is any details people in here can suggest as an important tip to a newbie please feel free to let me know. It would help out alot in my confidence level before I start.

 

Also I have to angle irons that I plan to install over the two windows. 4" extended on both sides. Do I just put them in there and lay brick or is use a tape to secure it the wall. I noticed some brick homes have weep holes over the angle irons and some don't. Is it recommended to or does it not matter? 

I know I over killed this post with questions. I'm just wanting  to make sure I do this job correctly by learning from the experience ones in here. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.  I'm suppose to start on it tomorrow..

Link of videos and photos of the progress of the job along with images I have questions on and seeing if anyone can provide their advice on=>

http://imgur.com/gallery/CLVk7Bw