hi there
looking for some advice and guidance on dismantling and rebuilding sandstone block gate posts.
gate posts are approx 1.8m high
each sandstone block is 460mm square
each post is leaning so needs rebuilding before we fit new wooden gates, although the lean does add a bit of character to the house we would prefer that they are vertical, you can see in one of the photos how much the current metal gates have been adjusted from vertical to compensate for the lean.
Have done lots of block work and building etc. before so happy to tackle this but would like some additional ideas before I start
looking for advice on
a) how to remove each block
b) what bonding material should we use to re seat the stones, sand cement mortar mix, grab adhesive or something else.
c) how best to replace each block in place, due to weight I'm expecting it won't be like placing a concrete block onto mortar.
options so far are use staging with very heavy duty boards and slide each block onto the staging at the right height.
then when replacing them cut thin wooden strips to the right thickness of expected mortar thickness placed at outer edge of block so that we can slide the blocks along the wood strips without disturbing too much mortar
it maybe just a case of man handling the damn things into place
or hire a lifting beam with block and tackle to lower in place but this then still leaves me with the problem of removing the lifting straps without damaging the mortar bed.
I had also thought of maybe drilling into stone and putting in some lifting eyes but that would then mean i also need a fairly high lifting beam or rig to be able to hang the very top stone, which may not be available and or may be to costly, but obviously safety being the first consideration. View media item 59508 View media item 59509
looking for some advice and guidance on dismantling and rebuilding sandstone block gate posts.
gate posts are approx 1.8m high
each sandstone block is 460mm square
each post is leaning so needs rebuilding before we fit new wooden gates, although the lean does add a bit of character to the house we would prefer that they are vertical, you can see in one of the photos how much the current metal gates have been adjusted from vertical to compensate for the lean.
Have done lots of block work and building etc. before so happy to tackle this but would like some additional ideas before I start
looking for advice on
a) how to remove each block
b) what bonding material should we use to re seat the stones, sand cement mortar mix, grab adhesive or something else.
c) how best to replace each block in place, due to weight I'm expecting it won't be like placing a concrete block onto mortar.
options so far are use staging with very heavy duty boards and slide each block onto the staging at the right height.
then when replacing them cut thin wooden strips to the right thickness of expected mortar thickness placed at outer edge of block so that we can slide the blocks along the wood strips without disturbing too much mortar
it maybe just a case of man handling the damn things into place
or hire a lifting beam with block and tackle to lower in place but this then still leaves me with the problem of removing the lifting straps without damaging the mortar bed.
I had also thought of maybe drilling into stone and putting in some lifting eyes but that would then mean i also need a fairly high lifting beam or rig to be able to hang the very top stone, which may not be available and or may be to costly, but obviously safety being the first consideration. View media item 59508 View media item 59509