Advice on some stone work around foundation

2082 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by DemRem, Apr 17, 2014

DemRem

Discussion Starter · Apr 15, 2014

I have no experience in stone, brick or block (only tile). I'm doing a small job for a friend and was hoping to get some advice from you experts out there

Basically, my friend dug away a couple feet of dirt from around his foundation because of water problems. This exposed a small area of unsealed block. We need to clean the bock and seal it and also want to cover it with some thin stone (about 1" thick)

There are three basic things I need help on

1) What would be the best block sealer I could get from Lowes or HD. It would have to seal and provide a good substrate for the stone. The block is very dirty I was going to clean it with water unless there is something better.

2) What would be the best mortar mix (again something I can get from Lowes). The area gets damp so I need something tough enough to resist freezing and such

3) I assume I would use the same mortar mix for the "grout" lines between the stone as well

4) Any other tips would be helpful

Thanks!

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dom-mas

· #2 · Apr 15, 2014

1. Clean the block, use clean water and a good scrub brush. Some mild muriatic acid isn't too bad either. DO NOT APPLY ANY SEALER if you want to apply stone. the sealer will prevent the mortar from bonding.

2. Use a premix mortar and add some bonding agent to the mix, this will help it greatly to stick. Buy a bag of type S or even Portland cement as well and add a shovel or so for each bag of mortar you get. This will make it stronger and a bit stickier

3. Same mortar can be used for the joints. I wouldn't worry as much about the bonding agent or the added cement

Biggest tip is if it's near grade and you get any snow or possible water build up try to joint the bottom of the stone as best you can.. You CAN apply sealer to the stone after it's installed, but it's not something I do so I can't recommend any products

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DemRem

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 15, 2014

dom-mas said:
1. Clean the block, use clean water and a good scrub brush. Some mild muriatic acid isn't too bad either. DO NOT APPLY ANY SEALER if you want to apply stone. the sealer will prevent the mortar from bonding.

2. Use a premix mortar and add some bonding agent to the mix, this will help it greatly to stick. Buy a bag of type S or even Portland cement as well and add a shovel or so for each bag of mortar you get. This will make it stronger and a bit stickier

3. Same mortar can be used for the joints. I wouldn't worry as much about the bonding agent or the added cement

Biggest tip is if it's near grade and you get any snow or possible water build up try to joint the bottom of the stone as best you can.. You CAN apply sealer to the stone after it's installed, but it's not something I do so I can't recommend any products

Thanks that's just what I was looking for...yeah that bottom joint is going to be important and I have been concerned about water getting in there and cracking it

Personally I think I would prefer to put it directly on the block but he wants a water barrier so after using a barrier I was going to tapcon lathe to the block

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sunkist

· #4 · Apr 16, 2014

blowes and home crepo sell stone veneer morter mix and the glue in a tube

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JBM

· #5 · Apr 16, 2014

Are you looking to put stones on the block below grade?

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dom-mas

· #6 · Apr 16, 2014

sunkist said:
blowes and home crepo sell stone veneer morter mix and the glue in a tube

That stuff is crazy expensive, some acrylic additive will do all it does for less

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heavyc

· #7 · Apr 16, 2014

Surewall bag mix. Apply to cleaned block put a wash at bottom we go 6" out forming base. Footer must be clean also. Stone will apply right over it. Brixment Type S to fill joints around stone very forgiving on mixture ie. amount sand and water just don't make soup. As dom-mas added use Portland a good heavy shovel full per full bag Brixment when applying stone. If there's one leak there could be more Surewall is excellent product. You said you have 2' dug all around foundation put at very least wash/ base around entire perimeter and up the cmu's/ block to grade. While your dug out I would recommend french style drain before back filling and after your stone veneer is completed. Do it yourself nothing fancy use sock on drain pipe, bed in gravel base fill in mix sand gravel combo aides in drainage. Tie together at lowest best draining area extend 20' away from structure. Great piece of mind and longevity in keeping water away from foundation. Your buddy will be pleased with results.

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DemRem

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 16, 2014

heavyc said:
Surewall bag mix. Apply to cleaned block put a wash at bottom we go 6" out forming base. Footer must be clean also. Stone will apply right over it. Brixment Type S to fill joints around stone very forgiving on mixture ie. amount sand and water just don't make soup. As dom-mas added use Portland a good heavy shovel full per full bag Brixment when applying stone. If there's one leak there could be more Surewall is excellent product. You said you have 2' dug all around foundation put at very least wash/ base around entire perimeter and up the cmu's/ block to grade. While your dug out I would recommend french style drain before back filling and after your stone veneer is completed. Do it yourself nothing fancy use sock on drain pipe, bed in gravel base fill in mix sand gravel combo aides in drainage. Tie together at lowest best draining area extend 20' away from structure. Great piece of mind and longevity in keeping water away from foundation. Your buddy will be pleased with results.

Thanks for the reply...I should have mentioned the digging out is permanent so no back filling. Yeah I think drain tile would be great around there but I think it'll have to be a future project.

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dom-mas

· #9 · Apr 16, 2014

even if you can keep it 2 or 3 inches above grade and put some pea stone or river rock down it will help

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DemRem

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 17, 2014

dom-mas said:
even if you can keep it 2 or 3 inches above grade and put some pea stone or river rock down it will help

Yeah thanks for mentioning that because he may not want to do drain tile right now, but you're right, just a couple inches with gravel would make a big difference

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