You will need:
- trowel and jointer
- hammer and rubber mallet
- tape measure
- Spirit level
- square
- safety goggles
- wheelbarrow
- shovel
- rake
-apencil
- Angle grinder
- stone (available from Mazista or local stone merchant)
- cement stock brick
- concrete for footing
- mortar
Note: The quantities needed for each of these materials vary with application. For your specific project, take the dimensions to a local dealer, where they will calculate the amount of each product needed.
1.
Make up a template of the footing with cardboard or brown paper.
Place the template in position and walk around it to be sure there is space where appliances will open. This also allows you to clearly mark where gas, water, or electrical services need to go.
Once the template is set exactly in place, trace it with a pencil. You'll need to dig down 300mm for the footing.
Use an angle grinder to cut through the stone pavers, and after removing the pavers in the center area, cut a deeper line and separate the pieces by tapping them with a stone hammer.
To make sure that your cuts and footing are accurate, set the template down again.
2. Dig the footing about 300mm deep. You might need to set up a form to make sure your footing is square when it dries. Use scrap timber to make the form and add stakes and old pavers to hold it in place.
Mix the concrete for the footing. Before you pour the concrete, make sure to shield any gas lines, etc. by surrounding them with a plastic bucket or similar protection.
Place pieces of rebar into the top of the footing for extra strength and support. Let the footing set overnight.
3. Once the footing is dry, pull the forms. Set the template down one last time to make sure your footing is on target. With a pencil, retrace the template to give you a starting point for the stonework.
Stage your area so the stones you need are on hand to be set in place.
It is recom-mended that you dry lay first row of stones to make sure everything lines up correctly. Measure any openings for appliances. Once the stones are set in place, it's time to mix the mortar.
For the mortar, mix 1-3/4 buckets of building sand and 1 bucket of cement. These proportions will make a stickier, stronger batch of mortar for these smaller joints and heavy stones. Add enough water to get it to the consistency of sticky peanut butter.
4. Use an angle grinder or cold chisel to cut the first row of stones flat on the bottom. Start from a corner and build around the unit. While the mortar is wet, stones can be adjusted to ensure the edges are straight and everything lines up with the template. Once the first row is set, parge the corners from the inside and all joints in between the stone.
5.A cement block structure is built up inside the stone veneer for additional support. These blocks will be covered up by the stonework and countertop, so they don't have to be "pretty." Set the block with mortar up to the level of the first course of stone.
6. On the second course work from the middle out.
Only a bit of mortar is needed between stones. Once you set a stone, you can use shims to keep the stone securely in place as you work. For added strength, parge the stones from the back with mortar.
7. Once the mortar begins to set up, "rake out" the excess with a jointer so that it is not visible between the stones.
8. The stones of the top course need a straight edge onto which the countertops will be set. Set these stones in the same way as the previous course. Once they are in place, check that they are level. Build up the cement block to the height of the final course of stone and check that it is level. You are ready to set the countertops.
9. For the stone countertops, discuss with the stone merchant as to the stone you want to use. You can choose from a variety of stones and styles.
Use a chisel and stone hammer to carefully chip the edges. You don't want to take off big chunks, just chips to give it a hand-finished look.
Dry set the pieces on top of the veneer work and set them in place with shims.
Once all the countertop pieces are in place, make sure they are level. Start checking the level at the highest end of the countertops and work your way down.
Use shims as needed to adjust the level and keep the stones in place.
Use a silicone adhesive between the counter and the stone. As you come across the shims under the countertop, you can score the shim with a knife and snap it off, or you can wait until the caulk is dry and pull the shims out.
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