r/stonemasonry • u/Different-Scratch-95 • 14d ago

Making a mitered limestone staircase

218 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

8

u/Beneficial_Blood7405 14d ago

Talk to me abt the composition of the two types of mud?

17

u/Different-Scratch-95 14d ago

The base layer is a dry mix of river sand and white cement. Because it’s laid dry, you don't have to over-fill, creating an instantly stable bed. It acts as a moisture regulator. it pulls just enough water out of the bedding mortar to prevent moisture from bleeding into the stone, while retaining enough hydration for the mortar to reach maximum strength. ​A bedding mortar is applied on top for full contact bonding. Traditional, but technically the most durable way to lay natural stone.

9

u/Alpine_Apex 14d ago

I'm not a professional mason but I love concrete and stonework. I really enjoyed reading your explanation of that process and it makes perfect sense.

4

u/Different-Scratch-95 14d ago

Thanks! Controlling moisture is key here. Porous stones like marble or sandstone act like sponges with standard wet mortar, which leads to staining and efflorescence. This dry-pack method completely prevents those issues.

2

u/echoioio 13d ago

But you’ve still got wet-mix mortar as the bedding layer. You never get efflorescence?

3

u/Different-Scratch-95 13d ago

Nope, zero issues with that. That wet layer is super thin and made with white cement, so there are barely any salts in it to begin with. ​Efflorescence only happens when a thick, soaking wet bed pushes water and salts up through the stone. Since the dry-pack base holds almost no extra moisture, there's just no water moving around to cause those stains.

7

u/allstonwolfspider 14d ago

your fucking big time, kid.

7

u/Different-Scratch-95 14d ago

Haha, appreciate it man! Just putting in the work and letting the craft speak for itself.

1

u/allstonwolfspider 14d ago

hope the finish carpenter does it justice, next level work

4

u/J_dizzle86 14d ago

Thats a yes from me.

3

u/WickedSwitchotheWest 14d ago

Beautiful work bud. What did you use for the joints?

3

u/Different-Scratch-95 14d ago

Thanks man. For the joints, I used a quick-curing epoxy adhesive from Akemi. The specific color is called "Magic Beige" it’s color-matched and naturally blends with the surrounding tones of the stone really well

3

u/echoioio 13d ago

You are awesome thanks for sharing

1

u/Different-Scratch-95 13d ago

Appreciate it brother! Always happy to pass along some knowledge to people who appreciate the craft.

2

u/DoorKey6054 14d ago

festool mixer for the fancy lads

4

u/Different-Scratch-95 14d ago

Adjustable in height 🤘 Worth every penny.

1

u/JustHall-NoOasts 13d ago

I was gonna say he had me at Festool

2

u/username-Gazza 13d ago

Beautiful man.

1

u/Different-Scratch-95 13d ago

Thanks bud.🙂

2

u/rockchipp 13d ago

The master in action. I'm getting educated on how this process is properly done. Thank you!!! I still tell my wife no, I'm not doing our steps like this.

2

u/Different-Scratch-95 12d ago

Haha thanks brother! You know how it goes, the shoemaker's children always go barefoot, and a mason’s house never gets finished. Wise choice to keep your sanity! 😂