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TFlan68 · Jul 22, 2008, 08:05 PM

My home has a decorative stone border surrounding the front door. The border has an arched top and the stones are mortared together. One of the stones of the arch has slipped a few inches and needs to be returned to its proper location. My problem is in moving it. It is somewhat heavy and I need a way of jacking it up so that the arch can be repaired.

I tried to use a bottle jack and 2"x4" but the board gave in before the stone moved. Can someone suggest a smart way to push this stone back into position? I will need to be able to hold the stone in position until new mortar or glue cures.

Thanks

rsain2004 · Jul 22, 2008, 10:22 PM

I once moved a classified materials safe onto rollers by using a large cold chisel as a wedge, hammered under it... perhaps that hejps... Good luck...

TFlan68 · Jul 23, 2008, 05:46 AM

Originally Posted by rsain2004

I once moved a classified materials safe onto rollers by using a large cold chisel as a wedge, hammered under it...perhaps that hejps...Good luck...

I neglected to mention that the stone in question is about 15' off the ground. Fairly important detail I forgot to include.

ballengerb1 · Jul 23, 2008, 10:29 AM

Is this a stone veneer or is the stone true structural rock face. My way of thinking is if a 2x4 fails there is always a 4x4 to try next. A bottle jack is probably capable of 2 tons of lift.

TFlan68 · Jul 23, 2008, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Is this a stone veneer or is the stone true structural rock face. My way of thinking is if a 2x4 fails there is always a 4x4 to try next. A bottle jack is probably capable of 2 tons of lift.

It's and actual stone probably 6"Wx6"Dx16"H. Do know of a structural jack that can often be found in the basement of a home that has sagging beams. I'm wondering if that might work but don't know what it's called exactly and don't know where to get one.

Thanks

ballengerb1 · Jul 23, 2008, 10:41 AM

OK, mortared stones like you describe do not slip, you have a structural failure in the arch and the weight of the keystone is moving. This is not a DYI project for most folks. I recopmmend you call a mason for an opinion and an estimate. Something is failing in your structrure.

TFlan68 · Jul 23, 2008, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

OK, mortared stones like you describe do not slip, you have a structural failure in the arch and the weight of the keystone is moving. This is not a DYI project for most folks. I recopmmend you call a mason for an opinion and an estimate. Something is failing in your structrure.

I actually had a mason show me what to do. Why this stone has moved is that the stones of the archway were poorly designed and were not tapered in such a way that they can hold themselves. The stone slipped until its fit was more snug.