OK. I know that very old brick houses cannot be tuckpointed with the same mortar that is generally used today.
This isn’t a brick house. It is an old church, about 1880 maybe.
Not brick, but stone. Very soft stone from the looks of it. In fact, their biggest problem is the erosion of the stone. In the one year old gutter next to the bell tower I found enough sand to fill at least one quart, if not two.
But that isn’t my problem.
Anyway, there are a couple of spots where a significant amount of mortar is missing. The company that roofed the building is blaming a leak on the missing mortar (a bunch of hooey in my book).
So what mortar should I be using? What is the recipe?
Also, one church member asked that I match the existing mortar color, but wouldn’t this require much experimentation with different sands, etc. etc. If so I can just tell him I can’t do that (the repair will barely be visible from the ground anyway).
Thanks.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Edited 8/29/2005 3:18 pm ET by RichBeckman
Replies
Rich, try doing a search on lime mortar. I'd guess that's every bit as important with sandstone as with brick. As to sand, that's a tough call. The advice I've read is fairly common sense - That is, 100 years ago, sand likely came from someplace local. Is there a stream or a lake nearby, or an old sandpit, that's the likely source? You probably don't need a lot.
Andy
Andy Engel
Senior editor, Fine Woodworking magazine
An updated profile is a happy profile.
Other people can talk about how to expand the destiny of mankind. I just want to talk about how to fix a motorcycle. I think that what I have to say has more lasting value. --Robert M. Pirsig
None of this matters in geological time.
Rich,
I have a friend in the bus. who has taken a number of restoration courses.
Likely he will have an answer for you if you don't find what you need here.
Let me know if you wish for me to contact him.
Eric
It's Never Too Late To Become
What You Might Have Been
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