In this video, This Old House mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner solve an issue with a crumbling sandstone veneer on their front steps, improving the safety and curb appeal of their home.

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Mason Mark McCullough takes us on a house call to Dallas, Texas, where a homeowner’s sandstone steps are starting to cause issues. After noticing that the bond between the pre-existing concrete steps and new sandstone veneer is failing, Mark and the homeowner get to work.

Difficulty: ⅖
Time: One day
Cost: Under $50

Where to find it?
Mark helps a Dallas homeowner repair their sandstone steps.

To repair the stone steps Mark removes old mortar and loose stones, using a hammer [https://amzn.to/3TOoCvj] and chisel [https://amzn.to/3SQ27oq]. To apply mortar to smaller areas between stones, Mark uses a 5x2 margin trowel [https://amzn.to/3fcGq4r]. To spread mortar over stones and larger areas, Mark uses a brick trowel [https://amzn.to/3DfLTPT]. To finish the mortar joints, Mark uses a concave jointer [https://amzn.to/3sL2d64]. He then textures the mortar joints with a soft bristle brush [https://amzn.to/3U9MdGO].

Expert assistance by Metro Brick Repair [https://www.metrobrickrepair.com/]. Materials supplied by The Mountain Stone Supply [https://www.mountainstonesupply.com/].

Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH

Materials:
Concrete additive [https://amzn.to/3zsKbJT]
Mortar mix [https://amzn.to/3DFLd7N]
Sandstone veneer [https://thd.co/3zw4zKb] (if existing veneer breaks)

Tools:
Masonry chisels [https://amzn.to/3SQ27oq]
Mason’s hammer [https://amzn.to/3TOoCvj]
Masonry brush [https://amzn.to/3U9MdGO]
Paintbrush [https://amzn.to/3gXbgOE]
Bucket [https://amzn.to/3FrLSuJ]
Margin trowel [https://amzn.to/3fcGq4r]
Brick trowel [https://amzn.to/3DfLTPT]
Concave jointer [https://amzn.to/3sL2d64]
Grout sponge [https://amzn.to/3SNrA1K]

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About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How To Repair Sandstone Steps | Ask This Old House
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