OK, now that I have your attention…..
Getting ready to re-point my fieldstone foundation, which has very wide gaps/joints in some places. The original mortar looks to have had lots of fly ash or clinker in it (good Bethlehem Steel slag, perhaps). I’d love to be able to afford mortar analysis, custom lime mortar, etc. but I need to get something in these joints now, not after I win the lottery.
I’m thinking best bet is mixing my own, not Big Orange bagged stuff. Masons cement and the coarsest sand I can find. But those big joints worry me. The original mortar isn’t filled out with big aggregate, which I thought about doing.
Anyone have any helpful tips for me? TIA
Replies
Bumping....
Anyone? Hellloooo.....
Though others here have pooh-poohed it, I recall that when the venerable Mr Yerby redid the foundation in my parents' house he just used cement and sand.
I have over 2000 square feet of flagstone over concrete. The best stuff we have found is that mortar that says "Super" on the side of the bag. You certainly want something type S or better. I would mix some poly admix in there to make it stick better. Be sure everything is clean and tight before you start trying to patch this.
http://www.vulcanmaterials.com/VCM/specsheets/FloridaSuperMasonry.pdf
You can also do a standard sand mortar mix and add in a scoop of portland to make it a little stonger. You can get grey or white depending on your final desired colour. I just did this on an old fieldstone wall a couple months ago and it turned out great.
Jay
If I had a question of a life long mason, I'd call Tom Trout down by Burnsville, N.C.
If you want, I can email him.
Lemme know.
and you miss'd a fine time at the Smiths!