Rock Steps Repair -- Sakcrete?

[DrRod]

Greetings,

My cabin has three steps made of about four big rocks each. After 70 years, the morter has come loose. I thought I might use Sakcrete to fix them but then I thought I really know nothing about it. Is this a good idea of is there a better product to turn to.

 

[jinman]

If you are gonna completely clean the rocks and start over, then you'll need a mortar mix like Sakrete Sand Mix, not a Sakrete concrete mix. Mortar mix has cement, sand, and lime but no gravel like Sakrete concrete mix. If you are just gonna patch the cracks and/or build up an area, you might look into some of the mortar joint repair compounds you can use in a caulking gun. Those products can do good repairs if you blow away all the dust and loose materials before starting. Just follow the instructions on the tube for application.

BTW: You can use the Sakrete Sand Mix for partial repairs, but the area needs to be clean and you'll probably want it damp to help the mud adhere. You might mix it pretty wet and put it into a bag with a hole in the corner and squeeze it into the cracks rather than try to trowel it in or use a putty knife. Getting it to fill the cracks and voids is the key to a good job.

 

[CurlyDave]

In addition to jinman's very good advice, I would mix the repair batch of mortar with about 1/2 gallon of acrylic admix per sack. This makes it stick very well to old mortar and rock surfaces.

Do not think you are going to clean this off the rock the next day. Wipe it clean, very clean, the same day you use it.

 

[KENSFM]

I would use Sakrete Mortar-Stucco Mix Type S, it is made for stone. Sakrete Sand Mix is a bedding material and is not a mortar mix.
Ken

 

[jinman]

Thanks Ken. I just jumped on Sand Mix without reading the full description. You are completely right.