On Wed, 3 Oct 2012 19:41:49 -0400, "Existential Angst"
wrote:


Looking to patch up my stone walls, between stones. Was at HD today, must
be a half-dozen or more types of mortar -- or, iiuc, "sandmix".

Is there any type/brand particularly good for patching stone walls? Any
particular prep? I figger I'll clean out the patch areas with a garden
hose, etc. How to get the stuff on/in the vertical wall face is the next
challenge..... Any tips?

Along these lines (and of a previous post), I bought two different types of
grout, sanded and unsanded. Sanded is like a fine mortar (iiuc), and
unsanded is, I presume, very fine particles that don't quite qualify as
sand. The former is for gaps 1/8 to 1/2", the latter up to 1/8". So that
should cover various slate-type, step repairs, with fine-ish cracks.

Someone had suggested thinset, but the cart was already getting hard to
push....

So between the the two grouts and the mortar mix (Sakrete sumpn or other --
I saw the Mexicans buying it, so I figgered, when in Rome, do like the
Romans..... LOL), I should have a variety of joint/patch sizes covered.

I also bought some colorant, should my artistic/feminine side peek
through....

I don't have a specific recommendation for you, but you need to choose
mortar type carefully when tuckpointing. You want the mortar to be
softer than the stone. You don't say what type of wall (basement,
retaining, exterior???) or how old the wall is. On old walls lime
mortar (lime and sand) rather than cement based mortar is often used
because it is softer and won't spall the stone. Most of the bagged
mixes at the borg will be portland cement based.

A little google search for mortar mix for tuckpointing stone should
provide useful info.

You can use a mortar bag for tuckpointing but most just load up a hawk
and use a small trowel to pack the joints.

HTH,

Paul F.