Fixing the Rock Trim on a House
After a number of years or due to recent settling, the rock trim on the exterior of your house may need some repair. Mortar joints can crack or come loose. Corners are notorious for coming apart due to pressure put on them by both sides of the wall. Repairing rock trim can be done without any trouble at all. Some repairs can be patched with ready-made cement patch, while others will need a dry mix or mortar to be applied.
Instructions
Concrete Patch Rock Trim Repair
1. Put on all protective gear.
2. Remove all loose mortar with a pointed mason's trowel or large screwdriver.
3. Check the fit of the rock or stone piece you are working on and other rock pieces that connect to it. You want to make sure there are not other loose joints that you may have not discovered yet. If you find more loose mortar, then remove it as well.
4. Apply cement patch mix, using the pointed mason's trowel, into the crevices where the old mortar was. Pack it in until it squeezes out from the top. Smooth the new mortar down with the back side of the pointed mason's trowel.
5. Let dry overnight. Check to see if all joints are cured and tight in place.
Tuckpointing Rock or Stone
6. Put on all protective gear.
7. Remove all loose mortar with a pointed mason's trowel or large screwdriver.
8. Check the fit of the rock or stone piece you are working on and other rock pieces that connect to it. If you find more loose mortar, then remove it as well. Sometimes, a small grinder may be needed to remove a larger amount of old mortar.
9. Mix mortar mix in bucket, following a ratio of 2 parts mortar, 1 part water. Mix the mortar, using a mixing paddle or a piece of scrap 2x4 lumber.
10. Mix the mortar and water until it can be formed into balls that don't fall apart.
11. Let the mix sit for about an hour or two to allow air to mix with the materials.
12. Add more water to the mix to make the mortar stiff, but not too wet. You don't want the "ball" consistency to disappear. If the mix is too dry, add more water. If it's too wet, mix in more water. You will have to work at the mix ratio until you get it right.
13. Add water to the open mortar joints, so they can accept the new mortar mix more appropriately.
14. Select a pointed tuck tool that is slightly less than the width of the mortar joint. Apply the mortar mix to the joint area. Work it in in 1/4-inch increments, so that air pockets don't develop. Continuously pack in 1/4-inch layers deeper and deeper until the joint is full.
15. Let the masonry work dry for several days.
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