How To Repair Slate Steps

This post was sponsored past STIHL considering they supplied the cutting-off machine and rubber equipment . However, the decrepit steps are my own, and repairing them has been on my list for a long fourth dimension. Cheers to STIHL for partnering with me on the project.

Yous know it'southward time to repair your entryway stone steps when it's become instinctive to warn guests to scout out, look out, conscientious! don't stride there, please don't fall. Our tangled length of caution tape weathered x consecutive seasons and was nevertheless was property up ameliorate than the crumbling, deteriorated flagstone step of our 1950s dwelling house.

The flagstone steps and rock details were original to the construction of our dwelling, and the spots that took the most foot traffic were really beginning to show their historic period. The rock had non only begun to splinter and crack, simply it was as well loose (sitting atop the mortar unsecured) which seemed specially hazardous for anyone not paying attention to their basis. Recipe for disaster.

Finding flagstone that would work for replacing these steps was the like shooting fish in a barrel part–we had leftovers from the summer when we installed a large patio on the back of our dwelling house–but cutting them down to fit the depth of the pace was the challenge, and the existent reason this repair never seemed to get done.

When we installed the patio, we worked with a friend who is a professional landscaper; he'd bring forth his gasoline-powered professional cut-off machine to trim stones down to size as we needed (and information technology was a really, really large intimidating saw). We don't readily have access to him or the big saw though, and other ordinary homeowners don't accept those types of connections either, so when I visited STIHL last autumn and went all center-eyed at the TSA 230 STIHL Cutquik® cut-off auto, the team was (surprised nigh my eye-eyed involvement just) really receptive to me wanting to get my easily on the product.

FWIW, nosotros weren't at that place to exist testing cutting-off machines as much equally we were learning virtually theLightning Battery Organization® line of products , but betwixt presentations and tours, we were lucky to get a lot of exposure to the variety of products manufactured by the company. STIHL makes only about everything for outdoor care. And, FYI you already saw me using the MSA 120 C-BQ if you caught my post on how to make a Swedish torch fire log; that's a real good chainsaw.

So yeah, I'm already a fan of battery-powered tools, but a bombardment-powered cut-off saw? I questioned a lot.

I certainly liked the idea that it was a button start (nothing complicated nearly information technology) and was fully-powered by a battery (no gasoline/oil/mixtures; boasting a "Caring for Nature" seal) and consequently, positioning it equally a low maintenance tool when compared to its gas-fueled counterparts. Despite the big 4-lb. battery, it's all the same super lightweight, weighing in at a full of 12.3 lbs., compared to 20+ lbs. for the gas-powered cut-off machines.

Would it be easier to maneuver? Less intimidating than a pull-start? (Can't attest to how information technology feels compared to the large guns, merely information technology'due south admittedly less intimidating. Put on middle protection, push button, WHHHHRRRRRR.)

Would it be equally loud? (It's loud enough to warrant ear protection but not *as* loud equally the machine we borrowed for the patio, which could wake the neighborhood. I mean, I was cutting through rock and then at that place's going to exist some loud noise. That said, t he tool has a maintenance-free brushless DC motor that makes for low noise levels and reduced vibration.)

Powerful enough to get the chore done? (Spoiler alert, yup it was. The tool'due south AP 300 battery will operate for ~18-minutes, depending on the type of material yous're destroying.)

Could it cutting through flagstone that'south multiple inches thick? (Yeah, our stone was 1.5" and the tool could cut up to 2.75" on the 9" bract.)

STIHL obliged with my desire to test the TSA 230, fifty-fifty though its uses are more than limited for ordinary homeowners. If you find it interesting, definitely visit the TSA 230 production page on the website or get in touch with your local STIHL dealer to larn more.

When I was initially learning about the tool, it seemed like a sure winner for homeowners and landscapers who just demand to practice a few Goose egg-ZIP-ZIP cuts without the hassle of pull-starting the machine with every use. Information technology's non an everyday type of tool, but one of convenience that's worth having for specific projects. However, when I met with the local STIHL distributor for product training, I was surprised to learn that they besides did a lot of concern with emergency responders and fire companies who have been embracing the TSA 230 considering it'due south small, easy-to-store on fire trucks, and super quick and like shooting fish in a barrel-to-use when the occasion arises and fourth dimension is critical. It's a less intimidating tool to learn to use, requires less maintenance, and is notwithstanding amazingly powerful. Perfect alternative for these crews, and a product that homeowners with a penchant for DIY improvement and maintenance volition value too.

And then, dorsum to our lamentable stone steps?

I started by removing the damaged stones. They were no longer fastened and lifted right on up.

Beneath the stones was a layer of sand, which sat atop a layer of mortar.

To loosen the mortar, I used the cut-off saw to create some notches in the cloth to break it up.

Once the base of operations beneath the onetime stone was cleared out, nosotros were able to confirm measurements for the new rock steps, and measure cuts on pieces of ane-i/2" thick flagstone. Using the metal tip of a pen, I scratched the directly line onto the surface of the stone (no marker or pencil, because it would have washed away with water spray). Why the water? It keeps the blade cool, and too keeps the dust at bay. Makes things a petty dirty, but still probably the "cleanest" circular type saw I've ever used.

The auto itself ran like magic. So lightweight, ergonomic and easy-to-hold, I'g eagerly pending another opportunity to put this tool to use. To utilize this tool–and other cut-off machines–for stonework, start by scoring the stone beyond the line you etched. Creating that shallow guide line will serve y'all well every bit y'all keep to make the cut.

On the 2nd laissez passer, cut a piddling deeper. On the remaining passes, depending on the thickness of the stone, forge deeper at the commencement of the cut and once again at the terminate of the stone, envisioning that you're leaving a bridge through the center of the rock to connect the two halves. Taking it ho-hum and going a little fleck at a time reduces the chance of the rock fracturing in the wrong spot. Still, equally cautious as I was, each cut just took me 30-seconds. Then crawly.

With the stones clean and dry, mix and lay your mortar on the footstep. Nosotros had two stones to supersede that needed to level with stones that were withal secure and intact, then we diligently leveled as we went to make certain everything was aligned.

Apply your finger to point and smooth the mortar betwixt the stones on all sides, and also use a damp sponge to remove mortar that squished onto the surface of the rock.

We blocked off the stairs with some scrap woods and let the mortar sit undisturbed for a few days.

The finished pace? Hopefully, it'll terminal for another 67 years!

It's amazing how easily you can go a projection done when you lot have the right tools. Thanks again to STIHL for making this possible.

Source: https://merrypad.com/2018/04/27/how-to-repair-flagstone-steps-stihl-cut-off-saw/

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