Cast stone

[Craig]

Hi - I need to "build up" a very worn doorstep, that has been badly repaired in cement.

I could replace the whole stone, but I also wondered if there is another option in a cast stone - does anybody have any suggestions I could think about? If only Sealy and Coade were still in business...

Thanks
Craig

 

[Gervase]

A common technique in the past was simply to turn the stone over so the dished side is downwards and can be filled with something that doesn't need to take a lot of wear and tear. I lived in a place where that had been done, and the wear on the 'new' top side had almost gone down to meet the old wear.

 

[sarahj]

Gervase, what do you do when both sides have been worn - this is the state of our rather steep 10 steps up to the garden, which are quite hazardous when you're carrying something up or down them and can't see where you're going?

Sorry Craig I hope you don't think I've gatecrashed your thread!

 

[Gervase]

I think then it's time for a new stone! Trouble is, in the past labour was cheap, so having a stone cut wasn't a big deal, while epoxy resins and other wonder glues to effect repairs hadn't yet invented.
Today a new stone would cost a bit, while we have all sorts of super fillers and adhesives to repair old stone (but not always well).
That said, have a new stone dressed may not be too expensive. You can hire a clip saw for the day for about £40, and that'll cut through five inches or so. Roughen it up with a scutch hammer and Robert's your mother's brother.

 

[Craig]

No problem Sarah!

I guess I was as much concerned about the destruction involved in getting the old stone out - having to cut out from under the door frame, etc.