Hi everyone.
I just had some stonework installed at the house I am remodeling, and something is bothering me about it. It is artificial stone. It extends up three feet from ground level all the way around the house. The masons installed felt paper, a metal screen, scim coated the screen and then mortared the backs of the stones and stuck them on the wall.
The thing that concerns me is there is no mortar between the stones to prevent rain and snow from getting behind them. Most of the stones were placed very close together, so you wouldn’t have much mortar between them anyway, but there are enough larger spaces which would allow water to sit or get behind the stones.
Is this common practice? should I insist that mortar is installed in all the joints?
Thanks,
Bob
Replies
'round here, they go back later and grout between the stones with a mortar bag. Have you asked your mason?
Might make a difference what type of stone pattern it was. Could see it more with a thin stacked fieldstone pattern than with larger units. Still, it sounds fishy. You might check out http://www.culturedstone.com or another manufacturer's site and peruse their online specifications.
Within the last year JLC has had several articles re water infiltration & cultured stone.
If it's not done right, you're in for troubles.
Joe H
Should be grouted in any case.Regards, Scooter"I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow." WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
do you really think this should be grouted ? (see photo)
i don't. i don't think it is practical.
carpenter in transition
We sell this at my place and the video on the installation only make note of installing grout when you are using a style that would have larger spaces. I was told by the salesman that the backer coat of mortar seals the instalation. I am not so sure but it seems to be selling well but I prefer brick, real clay brick installed by professionals not by some jack of all trades master of none. But then again I think if you are going to build somthing it should at least a hundred year life span. ok now Im just ranting.
My main concern is water getting behind the stones. I live in NJ where we get lots of snow, and I would think that any water behind the stones that can freeze and expand is going to pop those stones off. There is only a one year warranty on the installation. Should I not be so concerned about it?
Bob
Yes, I do believe that anything with more than about a 16th of an inch of spacing should be grouted. Otherwise wind driven rain makes direct contact with the setting bed.I don't know the name of the manufacturer, and I don't have a lot of experience with cultured stone products, only three installs, but I know the manufacturer I like, Cultured Stone Products, recommends grouting on all its products. So my final answer is yes, but I would check with the manufacturer to preserve any warranty rights in the event of failure.Regards, Scooter"I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow." WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
All the new homes going up around us are doing the mortarless cultured rocks. For tightly installying the squared off rocks, the manufactures say that you do not need mortar. However, how recently has this type of installation been around? I wonder myself if time will influence recommendations in the future.
I don't want to be the house that causes the industry change. :>) I love the look of the stone, just don't want them falling off.
Bob
The close placement is a good thing, sign of quality generally, but without finish grouting, they did two out of three parts of the job. It isn't finished yet.
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depends how close is close ...
too close ... no room for the mortar to get a foothold.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Thank you all for your replies. It seems you all pretty much agree with me about the mortar being needed. I also went on the manufactures website and checked the installation instructions. It mentions mortar as the last step, but with an asterick (*) and note which is kind of ambiguous.
I am going to meet the field rep to discuss with him. The masons are not employees of the manufacturer but were hired as subs.
I agree that the stone being placed close together is an indication of a quality job, I just think they need to finish it off, take that last step.
Thanks,
Bob