First of all, thanks again to everyone who helped me in my locksmithing thread - your advice saved my over $300, so the next dopefest I go to, the first round is on me.
The next problem:
My front steps consist of three stone slabs, resting on bricks. Some of the bricks are coming loose, as is one of the slabs, also known as a “tread.”
I have called a few masons, but am not getting anywhere - it seems they feel that it’s too small a job.
So, how hard would it be to fix myself?
What materials would I need?
Where could I find some instructions?
Never actually laid bricks myself. My observation of other people doing it is that building something complex like a brick wall, and doing it right so it doesn’t tilt or fall over or otherwise suck, is, if not “difficult”, then at least something that takes time, patience, and lots of practice.
However, my observation is also that if you’re just talking about a few minor repairs, where it only involves a few bricks, then shoot, you can just go down to the DIY lumberyard (Menard’s, Handy Dan’s, etc.), get a bag of mortar mix and one of those nifty skinny trowels, and go for it. I myself have actually done tuckpointing (she admitted modestly). True, I also managed to get mortar all over the place, but I did get the cracks in the foundation filled, using a table knife, a disposable aluminum turkey roaster, and a lot of paper plates. And if I can do that, you shouldn’t have any problems fixing your porch.
For instructions, you have two choices. Do a Google search for something like “home repair bricks mortar”. Or just go on down to the library and find a book on “home repair bricks” in the DIY home repair section. In my experience, the Time-Life home repair series is excellent.
Doing porches, steps and mailboxes isn’t too hard of a job. I used to do it on the weekends with a friend, but when you get into houses and things that takes some real talent.
There’s not alot to it, the trick to it all is to keep everything level. Just dont try to do anything too fancy and you should be fine.
Oops almost forgot the link. If that doesn’t help try the hardware store. They usually have books on everything involving do-it-yourself home improvement. At HOME DEPOT and also at LOWES all that stuff is up by the service desk.
My personal experience is that doing it yourself involves about 20 minutes per brick, as compared to a professional’s rate of maybe two minutes per brick. Also, quality is pretty spotty with the DIY method. Of course, others may be better or worse than myself and my fraternity brothers at bricklaying.
Maybe you could get a Free Mason? I hear they hang out at the Masonic temple.
Anyway, I would rather see a picture of the steps first. You know when you buy mortar, there are instructions on the bag usually ( I haven’t looked at every bag). ALso, a web search for ‘how to lay bricks’ should give you lots of pictures & stuff of naked bricks.
