Stone Veneer on Concrete Block

**Matthew Barnicle** · 11-17-2009, 07:26 PM

Curious to hear some opinions on this one. I see stone veneer on bare concrete block down here. The mortar joints are not filled. You can see the bare/raw/unpainted block when you look through the mortar joints. I would think this setup would be vulnerable to moisture intrusion/absorbtion of the block, particularly during heavy rains and wind driven rains when it doesn't have a chance to evaporate back out of the block, once absorbed. Thoughts/Opinions? Anyone have any expertise on these types of stone veneer?
See photo.

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**Billy Stephens** · 11-17-2009, 07:39 PM

Matthew,

Dependent on The Manufacturer this Dry Stack on Masonry Wall ( with the Proper Water Resistant Coating ) is allowed.
.

**Jerry Peck** · 11-17-2009, 07:48 PM

B. Water-Resistive Barrier
Depending on local building code requirements, barrier shall meet the requirements of ICC Acceptance Criteria 38 “Acceptance Criteria for Water Resistive Barriers.”
Note: Water-resistive barrier must be used on all exterior and interior mortar applications. Waterresistive barrier is not required for application over masonry or concrete.

B. Joint Width
In order to obtain the most natural look, joints should be as narrow as possible. The average should not exceed 1⁄2" in width. An attractive look can also be achieved by fitting stones tightly together if desired. If using tight fit/drystack method, it is important to make sure scratch coat/backing has been covered completely by the setting bed of mortar. This will conceal the scratch coat/backing and prevent pockets from forming behind stones that could trap water.

Masonry or Concrete:
In sequence: (1) mortar applied directly to untreated, unpainted masonry, concrete or stucco, (2) Cultured Stone ® manufactured stone veneer, (3) mortar joint.

**Billy Stephens** · 11-17-2009, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by Billy Stephens

Matthew,

Dependent on The Manufacturer this Dry Stack on Masonry Wall ( with the Proper Water Resistant Coating ) is allowed.
.

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

B. Water-Resistive Barrier
Depending on local building code requirements, barrier shall meet the requirements of ICC Acceptance Criteria 38 “Acceptance Criteria for Water Resistive Barriers.”
Note: Water-resistive barrier must be used on all exterior and interior mortar applications. Waterresistive barrier is not required for application over masonry or concrete.

B. Joint Width
In order to obtain the most natural look, joints should be as narrow as possible. The average should not exceed
1⁄2" in

width. An attractive look can also be achieved by fitting stones tightly together if desired. If using tight fit/drystack method, it is important to make sure scratch coat/backing has been covered completely by the setting bed of mortar. This will conceal the scratch coat/backing and prevent pockets from forming behind stones that could trap water.

Masonry or Concrete:
In sequence: (1) mortar applied directly to untreated, unpainted masonry, concrete or stucco, (2) Cultured Stone

® manufactured stone veneer, (3) mortar joint.

.
Check,

Water Resistant Barrier is Not Required over Masonry or Concrete.

.

**Matthew Barnicle** · 11-17-2009, 08:06 PM

The stones actually looked like they were "back buttered" instead of the mortar being applied to the wall itself like the instructions state. It appeared that it was concrete block in the mortar joints instead of a mortar bed. The instructions that state:

"In sequence: (1) mortar applied directly to untreated, unpainted masonry, concrete or stucco, (2) Cultured Stone
® manufactured stone veneer, (3) mortar joint."

fall under "Typical Applications" and not "Required".

Would a trip or call to or a letter from a manufacturers rep be warranted here?

**Billy Stephens** · 11-17-2009, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Matthew Barnicle

Would a trip or call to or a letter from a manufacturers rep be warranted here?

.
Find out Who Manufactured this Stone and get their Installation Instructions.

* posted pdf was a Generic Sample .
.

**Jerry Peck** · 11-17-2009, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by Billy Stephens

Water Resistant Barrier is Not Required over Masonry or Concrete.

I was addressing this:

Originally Posted by Matthew Barnicle

You can see the bare/raw/unpainted block when you look through the mortar joints.

With this:

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

B. Joint Width

If using tight fit/drystack method, it is important to make sure scratch coat/backing has been covered completely by the setting bed of mortar. This will conceal the scratch coat/backing and prevent pockets from forming behind stones that could trap water.

"make sure scratch coat/backing has been covered completely by the setting bed of mortar"

Which means you would not be able to see "the bare/raw/unpainted block when you look through the mortar joints."

**Matthew Barnicle** · 11-18-2009, 12:19 AM

"make sure scratch coat/backing has been covered completely by the setting bed of mortar"

In this case, the "backing" is the concrete block... got it. Thanks.