So my HOA requires a natural stone veneer on a concrete retaining wall that we had to have put in for our electrical transformer. We are unable to use stone tile or any thing else that would have made it easier....

We have to use natural rocks from around the area. The problem is that some of the rock arent porous and concrete wont bond to them.

Could I use some PL500 for the rocks that wont stick? If not, what would you recommend doing?

EDIT: Pic is after the concrete hardened. Rock just falls off.

https://preview.redd.it/g5cadxdkc6yd1.jpg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c93866139c4246b7ef20feba4eee40834a77d105

https://preview.redd.it/10rpaxglc6yd1.jpg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2d1c39179c85aaff44438885e698cf3b6e4cd060

Hi Everyone. Looking for your professional opinion.

I have a home in FL at which I’m doing a bluestone terrace project. There is an existing wrap around porch on two sides that already has cement slab.

The landscape architect’s plans (see image) call for a 1” thick bluestone over that existing cement slab. We’re going with this thickness so we don’t go above the exterior door thresholds.

We’ll be pouring a new slab for the rear terrace to join this wrap around porch and I’m assuming we’ll also lay 1” stone here.

My bluestone supplier suggest 1” is slightly abnormal, but they do in fact have it.

Are there any issues with durability any any other criteria I should be considering here? Assuming we are safe to wet lay here in FL with no frost issues.

Thanks in advance!

Anyone know how I can turn my kitchen limestone floor tiles from yellow to a sand color? I had the cabinets painted and how the floor under them isn't matching. Someone suggested white vinegar but I heard that will ruin the tile. Thanks.

We had a house fire about a year ago which required a complete gut of the home. The only thing that was not replaced was the fireplace but all the smoke stained it pretty dark. I’m scrubbed and cleaned it multiple times with TSP and it got a little better but no luck. We considered painting it white but I’m not extremely fond of that idea. Could we do something like a lime wash?

I’m looking for some high quality stone striking tools .. Tools for finishing joints on stone veneer homes . I currently use a 5/8 tuck pointer which I cut down to 2 1/2 “ to give me better control in finishing. Really would appreciate any help ..

What are the best boots you guys have come across? As far as being comfortable and durable? What about work gloves? I’m trying to buy those in bulk. Black Friday is coming to soon and I need to take advantage of sales. I work mostly brick work, but I’m doing stone right now. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. My Iron Age masonry boots have help up great, that’s one thing I would suggest to anyone looking for boots. Thank you guys!

I'd like to address a couple problems with my fireplace. https://imgur.com/a/utFNzbn The floor is uneven and has some gaps. The bricks on the side look fine, but some of the bricks and grout in the back have seen better days. I'm pretty sure none of these bricks are fire bricks...

I know the first step is to give it a thorough cleaning, but after that I'm hoping that I can use something like Rutland Castable Refractory Cement, High Temp Fireplace & Woodstove Fire Cement to basically skim coat the entire fireplace to fill in the gaps, level it all out and add a protective layer.

Any suggestions?

Hi, have a Victoria house with a standstone step (same material and condition as the photo below) at the front door which needs a bit of repainting. I have read that I should paint it with a sealer first but the ones I have seen either say Indian Sandstone or just generic brick sealers. Do you know if these are suitable for this kind of material? Dont want to assume and fall into the trap of using unsuitable modern solutions to old house problems!

Thanks

https://preview.redd.it/91ow1imk1rxd1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=3a40271646001005056c86b738b0a32369639550

I plan to have stone veneer to the block foundation in my house. When the house was originally constructed the ground was level. The house sits on the side of a hill with a a once level stop for the house. Over the years additional soil has settled against the foundation on one side of the house making the exposed foundation different heights. Should the soil be dug out prior to installing stone veneer back to the original or can it be left mostly as is as long as a level horizontal line can be snapped? Any recommendations on brands of veneer? Thank you for reading.

https://preview.redd.it/rtt26ykrzhxd1.png?width=959&format=png&auto=webp&s=fa52b0c78f6f1e17ce855e0005446b72f4b80755

I saw this house in Mexico, Ensenada. The house is part of a winery and has a very artsy vibe.

The most impressive thing was the ceiling decorated with bricks.

I've always been fascinated by the art of making bricks and tiles by hand. I long for the days when you could simply ask a master craftsman to take you on as an apprentice and learn under them for years. Does anyone know of communities, workshops, or places where I can learn this traditional craft? I'm looking for hands-on experience and access to equipment like kilns. Are there any artisans still practicing these techniques who might be open to teaching? I'm particularly interested in: Traditional clay extraction and preparation methods Hand-molding techniques for bricks and tiles Proper drying and firing processes Using traditional kilns Any advice on where to start or resources to check out would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Looking for advice on how to attach soffit against an uneven stone on structure wall. There's about 4 inches difference from the highest peak to the lowest valley where I need to install my channel.

Considering using a metabo and chisel to get as level as possible but what other options are there? Floating frame and scribe maybe or even scribe a 2x6 and then wrap that?

Since I got into repointing project, I pay attention to all kind of material and finishes

Saw this on a house in PA: some kind of a fake layer pretend to be bricks over real bricks

What is it even?

The glue's for a sandstone egg with joints as tight as I can get away with. The outside joint can be pointed/ grouted, the inside face is not seen so whatever. I've got some tile glue here, would that be ok to use? Pic shows the form and stones, sitting on a lazy Susan.

Hi guys. Apparently, energy drink can dissolve stone varnish. I did not notice that I have spilled energy drink on some tissues I had on my windowsill, and now stone is matte and white-ish. What type of stone varnish would match the gloss from the right site of the picture