Installation, maintenance and Product specification

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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR HAND CRAFTED BUILDING STONE VENEER

Hand Crafted Stone is easy to install, even for the most inexperienced do‐it‐yourselfer. Unlike other
manufactured stones which take two persons to install 100 to 200 square feet of stone per day, with
Hand Crafted Stone two persons can easily install up to 500 square feet of stone per day.

STEP ONE: PREPARE THE SURFACE
Hand Crafted Stone can be easily applied to any structurally sound surface without any wall ties,
footings or structural supports necessary due to the stone’s light weight. Install the stone directly to the
surface of any clean (unsealed, unpainted or untreated) brick, concrete block, or other masonry surface.
Metal lath must be applied first to all other surfaces.
On metal surfaces, attach the lath with self‐tappin screws every 16”. On wood surfaces, attaché the
lath by nailing or stapling on centers every 6”, hitting studs whenever possible. Always attach lath right
side up with small cups pointing upward. Building paper should be applied on outside surfaces prior to
the lath.

STEP TWO: APPLY ASCRATCH COAT
Apply a scratch coat of thin mortar. Mix mortar with just enough water for a workable consistency.

STEP THREE: MORTAR THE STONE
Lay out stones randomly near your work are. After choosing a stone, apply a ½” thick layer of mortar
evenly on back of stone.

STEP FOUR: APPLY STONE
Always install corner stone’s first. Apply remaining stones by working from the bottom up or top
down. Joints between stones should be as tight and uniform as possible.
Press stone firmly into place with a gentle wiggling motion to promote bonding. The mortar on back of
stone should squeeze out and surround stone.

STEP FIVE: REMOVE /DRESS EXCESS MORTAR
When mortar joints are firm, use a wooden or metal striking tool and remove excess mortar. At the
same time, firmly press mortar into the joints so edges are thoroughly sealed.

STEP SIX: BRUSH JOINTS
Using a whisk broom, brush mortar joints until smooth and all loose mortar has been brushed away.
Brush off any loose mortar on face of stones. Never let mortar set overnight before brushing joints.

STEP SEVEN CLEAN STONE‐COMPLETION
Clean any remaining grout off stone with a wire brush. You may wish to apply a waterproof sealer such
as Prime‐A‐Pell or to the surface of the stone, as sealed surfaces provide ease in cleaning.

Follow the same instructions when installing Hand Crafted Brick Veneer, being extra careful to deep
your lines straight and level.

ESTIMMATING A JOB
To determine the amount of stone needed for a project, calculate total square footage of the project
area. This can be done by multiplying length X height. Subtract the lineal footage of outside corners to
then determine the count of corner pieces required. One linear foot of corner covers approximately ¾
(.75) of a square foot. Subtract square footage of area covered by corner stone’s to determine
remaining square footage for flat stone. We recommend you purchase a few extra stones for cutting
and trimming.

TOOLS REQUIRED
*Shovel
*Hocking Trowel
*Plaster Trowel
*Wheelbarrow
*Hoe/Mixer
*Nippers‐wide mouth
*Hatchet
*Saw Blade‐Skill saw
*Whisk Broom

MORTAR MIXING

1 Bag Type “N” Masonry Cement
18 Average size shovels masonry sand
Approximately 5 gallons of water
1 to 5 pounds of Dye

HAVE MIXER RUNNING!!!
1. Put about four (4) gallons of water in mixer.
2. Put nine (9) shovels of sand in mixer.
3. Put in dye (1 to 5 pounds)
4. Add masonry cement.
5. Put in nine (9) shovels of sand.
6. Put in rest of water as needed.

PREPARE THE SURFACE

1. Unpainted or untreated brick, concrete block or masonry surface: Install the stone directly to
the surface.
2. Painted or treated brick, concrete block or masonry surface: Use a concrete bonding agent or
wire lath.
3. On metal surfaces: Attach the lath with self tapping screws every 16 inches.
4. On wood surfaces: Attach the lath by nailing or stapling on centers every 6 inches, hitting studs
whenever possible. Always attach lath right side up with small cups pointing upward. Building
paper should be applied on outside surfaces prior to the lath.

APPLY MORTAR

Apply a coat of thin mortar. Mix mortar with just enough water for a workable consistency. Lay out
stones randomly near your work area. After choosing a stone, apply a ½ inch thick layer or mortar evenly
on the wall or on back of stone.

APPLY STONE

Press stone firmly into place with a gentle wiggling motion to promote bonding. The mortar on back of
stone should squeeze out and surround stone. Always install corner stone first. Apply remaining stones
by working from the bottom up or top down. Mortar joints between stones should be as tight and
uniform as possible. Be extra careful to deep your lines straight and level.

DRESS STONE

When mortar joints are firm use a wooden or metal striking tool and remove excess mortar. At the
same time, firmly press mortar into the joints so d=edges are thoroughly sealed. Using a whisk broom,
brush, mortar into the joints so edges are thoroughly sealed. Using a whisk broom, brush mortar joints
until smooth and all loose mortar has been brushed away. Brush off any loose mortar on face of stones.
Never let mortar set overnight before brushing joints.

COMPLETION

Clean any remaining grout off stone with a damp wire brush. You may wish to apply a waterproof sealer
such as Prime‐A‐Pell to the surface of the stone, as sealed surfaces provide ease in cleaning.