I’ve been looking for a forum like this for a while now! I work diminsional stone quarry in north Georgia and love to take pics and video when I can

Hi folks. I tried to sort in the sub, as well as google. Having a hard time finding the right information to make sure what kind of grout and how to use it to to make sure the rock sits in place and doesn't move when I set it. Bag is Spec mix adhered Veneer. Base rocks were set with liquid nails before grouting. Thank you for any advice.

I'm cutting out a joints in a flagstone walkway to run some LV wire across, and was trying to decide what to re-fill the joints with. Research is telling me type N. Is that right? It's a really small amount so I was thinking maybe using something like Mor-Flexx. Thoughts? TIA https://www.sashco.com/products/mor-flexx/

Hi folks.

One of the stone lintels has a chunk missing. What type of filler would you recommend? The other issue is trying to replicate the angled part (bottom part); how would you go about recreating it from scratch?

Finally, we're looking to paint these white. Could you recommend a decent paint (UK)?

Thank you.

https://preview.redd.it/ve403gv8f94e1.jpg?width=1259&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cc3223438e83ca705fc462a610b242e3dd1ac44a

I am not a mason... I cannot imagine how someone would make a wall like this, where every stone is carved to fit exactly the other stones around it. Sometimes weighing tons. No mortar, no smaller stones wedged in between to add stability, just the large stones. Is there a web site somewhere which might describe how someone could try doing this sort of thing?

https://youtu.be/0Bp4pCUIxFw?t=75

Trying to match the bricks on my house.

Hello,

I am currently getting 3 lintels replaced due to a water leak. Is there any code on how this should be installed. Like the top one should over hang over the side ones?

I want to start by saying thank you for being here, and I apologize for the long winded post but I’m lost and running out of ideas - I could use some “expert” opinions

*2 Story Colonial *Built in 1996 *Exterior Brick Chimney *Vinyl Siding

Had a contractor out awhile back to put a stainless liner in the chimney for the furnace due to the original aging clay liner blocks

During the course of this job, he self-discovered and relayed to me that my brick chimney was quote “built incorrectly from the get-go and not to code”

He explained a “correct” chimney is built as follows… Plywood Sheathing, waterproof barrier such as tyvek, an “air gap” and then the chimney itself - meaning the chimney bricks never physically touch the home due to the air gap

This is done in part to prevent moisture issues such as if the bricks get wet from rain etc, it transfers to the home and causes mold issues etc

He stated MY chimney was built with plywood sheathing and then bricks against the sheathing no air gap no nothing - he found this out by removing some of the vinyl siding that abuts the chimney and found no gap behind the bricks

He told me the only way to fix this is to tear down the chimney completely and start from scratch, full demo in excess of $20,000 dollars

Here is my current problem…

I have no idea if this dude is bullshitting me or not, and for the life of me I can’t find anyone to provide a second opinion, I guess everyone’s busy with real jobs and doesn’t need side quests

Due to this I’m trying to self-diagnose and herein lies my questions….

First - I can’t access behind the chimney to verify if there is or is not an air gap, the tolerance is too tight, their could be 1/8th an inch gap and ide have no idea

Second - the home was built in 1996, if this was a true issue I would think something would of happened by now almost 30 years later

Third - trying to diagnose internally instead of externally, I discovered if I go into my attic crawl space I can get to a portion of exposed plywood sheathing that abuts the external chimney

I knock on the wood with my fist and it sounds hollow… if it was directly against brick wouldn’t it be solid?

I also see no signs of moisture damage or discoloration on the interior facing wood

Lastly I purchased an infrared “gun” to poke around with and the whole plywood sheet is the same temperature (no moisture cold spots??)

Obviously this is all in the spot I have access too, not necessarily the entire 25+ foot length of the chimney

Right now it’s inconclusive and I don’t know what else to do or try to confirm or deny this guys story - but I know paying 20gs for a “maybe” is very extreme to me

Any help or truly appreciated

Hello Everyone,

What can I use here to seal these gaps off? The trim is painted wood. Can I use sanded caulk like Tec, Mapei, Custom? I'm sure I can use Sikaflex but the gray color is much lighter than my mortar. It needs not to be shinny and must be textured. Thanks for your input.

https://preview.redd.it/dy9slqqrj23e1.jpg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a4ff4bb8f25e425a51752d95ed13e91a7984a389

https://preview.redd.it/ev1v75htj23e1.jpg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b5bc06dab73778c4561187c27476a81a8144124f

Is it a couple layers deep? Doesn't look like there's mortar. Should I be posting this in dry stone walling?