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Retaining wall project

28K views 147 replies 24 participants last post by  superseal 
#1 ·
Filled the last two weeks doing small jobs just trying to stay busy whilst the Township drug their feet approving my wall project permit.

It's my hometown actually, so I know the folks involved and their actually a pretty good bunch of peeps :rolleyes:

Even small jobs like this need to go though the planning commission which meets every Tuesday night and through zoning. Usually takes about a week to gather all the signatures then your good to go if everything's cool. Seems as though one guy is on vacation so that's what's holding things up.

Never mind, I'm gettin' started anyway :whistling... soon as I get this round in :thumbup:
 

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#112 ·
These stones were beautifully flamed on one nose and one side, the rest is saw-cut like treads normally are :whistling

Objective today,... to give me a little leeway in fitting and setting, is to flame all saw-cut edges and package them for transport tomorrow to the job.

This wall will getting butt joints as per owner request, as he's afraid a miter near the step could chip up under wear and tear. Can't say I'd disagree on this one so butt joints it will be.

Wonder how many guys would leave that saw-cut on the back side of the stone :whistling
 

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#115 ·
These dang things turned out nice I must say :whistling

Definitely need the oxy torch when doing these as mapp gas or poly or propane ain't gonna cut it. I know I've said in the past mapp will work,...and it can, very,very slow and unpredictable with much more of a rock face potential in the end.

For this amount of work...it's a no brainer. Bring out the bigger gun. My older brother Tony was kind enough to lend me his rig. What a helluva nice guy :thumbup:
 

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#119 ·
And I thought Tin was makin' fun of me...Thx Dom for clearing that up :laughing:

Hey, I finally get to put these dang things on. Looking forward to finishing up this one for sure. Blistering heat and no shade makes for a pissed off puppy and I'm feeling it. Just have some small stuff left here so I'll be making it a wrap soon.

Stones are being set with a 6:1:1 ratio of bar sand, lime and type 1 Portland. I'll use straight up Portland with acryl 60 as the bonding agent and back burn each stone with a scrub brush. Pre-wetting is a prerequisite here and timing is important for proper bond.

Wiggle these guys in position and they ain't going nowhere :no:
 

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#120 ·
Only problem with bluestone is it gets hot. Real hot is an understatement actually. You could probably cook a filet on these guys today.

No matter :whistling...there all on so the heavy lifting is over :clap:

All the neighbors are gonna celebrate once they get their parking spaces back :rolleyes:
 

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#129 · (Edited)
Wrapping up some touch up, pointing the cap joints and clearing out some equipment today as this job is all but done :thumbup:

Owner loves it - A lot of the neighbors too! Got a lot of attention on this one with all the people stopping and some additional work has already come in.

As far as torching the stone, many of us refer to this as thermal finishing. Like mentioned, the high heat textures the saw cut and adds a little charm to the edging. On the flat, it greatly increases slip resistance which comes in handy when doing steps and such.

I ended up showing my thermaled edge out and put the factory finish inward on this job. My edge was slightly more rustic and not quite as sharp on the corner.
 

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#130 ·
Pointing the cap stone joints was delightful - only three per wall and I kept them tight. Small concave jointer was used and it's a clean look.

I don't know,...the wet look is kinda nice too :whistling
 

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#132 ·
Did a number on the grass didn't I :laughing:

All being rescaped anyway,...I don't know why I tried puttin' the sod back :whistling

Owner is thinking regrading mulch beds behind the wall with some tall grass and plantings. Should look nice when it's all done.
 
#135 · (Edited)
#141 ·
Sorry to re-hash an old thread. but it's been a month since I finished the wall and I stopped back for a check up and sealer application in addition to more work the owner wanted done. I know I know, no landscaping here yet, but the owner promised me he's starting in September.

Normally the heads joints shrink in bluestone or maybe it's the other way around, but anyhoot, I like to wait for a complete cure before I come back and apply a flexible joint to the heads and then go ahead and waterproof and seal the stone and brickwork.

Process entails saw-cutting about 3/8" depth into my mortar joint, apply the bond breaker tape, Vulkem 116 sealant, tape and a few tools.

I like texture of the 116 and it blends well with the bluestone. Just hope no kids decide to stick their fingers in it whilst it cures :rolleyes:
 

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#142 ·
Sure enough, some heads were cracked open,...tight but still there.

The sealant/caulk application provides long term performance with it's flexible nature and ensures a water tight joint.

You can also broadcast dry blasting sand in the fresh sealant if you'd like so airborne containments don't bother to stick in your gooey concoction.
 

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#145 ·
I truly enjoy dusting out some of the new cars parked on the street :laughing:

Na,...Just gave them a finish look till I got back. That 6:1:1 mix saw-cuts pretty easy with a tuck pointer blade and you get a fresh clean edge to boot.

Don't really need to go a half inch,...3/8 more than enough.
 
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