this old house help

[faithgoeson]

I just purchased an old rock house from someone who just rented it out over the last 65 years. Some of the rock on the outside has fallen off of the house, showing just the basic wood frame of the home. Any tips on how to fix this? It's really ugly. Also, would a pressure washer do more harm than good for the rocks? Any tips appreciated. Thanks!

[Wolf mom]

I'd be careful of pressure washing. Not the rocks so much, but the mortar may get water behind it & come off.

Can you get a rock to fit in the hole? I'd seal the hole first then mortar a rock back in. You can put a couple nails near the bottom of the rocks to prop them if needed. Just make sure the nails won't poke through the mortar.

How cool. Those old stone houses look so neat!

[TNHermit]

You need to go over the house and check the mortar joints Tuck point and replace as needed. A little prodding will show bad joints. Check the frame where the rocks fell out to see if there is any decay. hopefully you don't have bigger problems. Put your fallen rocks back in . then buy a regular masonary wash and then you can pressure wash. Then spray with a good sealer

[papaw]

Good luck with the house. They were all over the area of Birmingham, where I grew up. The area had been a resort of sorts in the late 1800's and the creek rocks were used to build the cottages.

The advice Hermit gave should sum it up .... again, good luck and enjoy the house!

[farminghandyman]

You can use a light mechanics wire to wire the rocks up while the mortar sets if need to be, drive some nails (roofing) in to the wood wall to attach the wire to,

[faithgoeson]

Thanks, all!