Topmason - I need some tips

[SS MAYFLOAT]

I'm kicking around ideas of remodeling my basement to appear as if in a mine shaft or a cave.<br /><br />My one exterior basement wall (block) is 44 feet long. Can I use plastering screen anchored to the wall to form like stones and bolders? What should I use to cover the screen, Plaster or Cement? After everything is shapped and moulded, I'm planning to airbrush details onto the surface to enhance a stone look.<br /><br />Problem with the wall is it leaks water only when my down spout get clogged. The gutter was 65' with only 1 downspout, but I added one at the other end of the house. Of course I changed the drop on the gutter to a 50/50 drop to both downspouts. Since then with heavy rains I haven't had any more problems with the water leaking in.<br /><br />If it happens in the futher, I don't want the water messing up my future project with this wall. It currently has paneling on it and of course it is runined. Buckled, warped, and just down right ugly.<br /><br />I had this planned way before SBN started with the Cave thing. Dang on him.... <br /><br />Any tip would be helpful. I have done some masonary projects, but not as extensive as this. <br /><br />Seen your pics on the other post, and I must say you are professional grade. Its takes talent to do such great work... Thats why I'm asking you for the tips. Thanks....SS

 

[tylerin]

Re: Topmason - I need some tips

SS, I'm not topmason but I give it a shot. Yes you can anchor expanded metal lath onto the wall but you can just plaster over the block as well. For the do it yourselfer You can use premixed motar in a bag and add acrylic admix to it for strength. I apply my first coat real thin to entire area then I make horizontal lines and scratch it up, wait til its not green any more (few days depending on weather) and your ready for your finish coat.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Topmason - I need some tips

Thanks Tylerin,<br /><br />What I'm trying to achieve is a wall that is not exactly not plumb, level, flat, sequenced, etc. I want to make it like it has just been dug out with mining tools. So the screen is to bend to bumps, dig marks, gouges, layer rock,etc. I hope you can picture what I'm trying to put into words.<br /><br />There is going to be many voids and I don't want to have them compeletly full of material. <br /><br />Heres what I have thunk up<br /><br />I live where the Mohican Indians lived. There are lots of rock cliffs, CAVES , and places where the rock was dug out for roads. I plan to take the screen tie the pieces together and make panels. Then take these panels to the rock cliff, hold them against it and hammer the shapes into the screen. Then mount them to my basement wall. I know it sounds strange, but it would be faster than trying to imitate a natural structure that was naturaly done or dug out by big machines.<br /><br />I then would take pictures and paint accordingly. I'm going to try to get permission from a local park to make my mould there. Something that locals can see and recognize if they are ever in my basement. <br /><br />Well, what do ya think?<br /><br />SS

 

[tylerin]

Re: Topmason - I need some tips

I gotcha,You can use the expanded metal lath or some call it diamond mesh. Use the highest gauge 2.5 use the galvinized stuff. You'll have to do it in sections or have something to haul 44ft of lath. The pcs are about 27inches wide by 8ft long

 

[tylerin]

Re: Topmason - I need some tips

I think you'll need something to support the indentations also. Maybe brick ties. And once its nice and secure put a scratch coat(thin) Then after that hardens you can put your finish coat of mortar.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Topmason - I need some tips

You got it. I got plenty of stainless that can be made into gussets/brackets. Use stainless screws in plastic mollies. Just wondering type mix I should use. Scratch coat, 2nd, and finish which should be like a sandstone texture. I should probably use some vermiculite, or something to help aid in keeping the mix light.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Topmason - I need some tips

And when your done SS, you can go WOOO, WOOO, WOOO and see what you get when you run in there.

 

[tylerin]

Re: Topmason - I need some tips

I've never done this but Use the store bought premix mortar for both applications. As the 2nd coat mortar begins to dry throw some silicon sand #30 on it use wood floats to rub it down and the sand comes to the top. steel trowells will flatten it

 

[tylerin]

Re: Topmason - I need some tips

Hey Spinner, Ole SS is perty smart. He's bringing that cave indoors WOOO,WOOO

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Topmason - I need some tips

You bet, it gets cold up here in the winter without any clothes on.

 

[Topmason]

Re: Topmason - I need some tips

SS, thank you for that great compliment. Looks as if tylerin has ya covered on the how to's.<br />The idea sounds good, especially the impressioning of the screens with genuine patterns.<br />As for the fastening of the wire, screen, ties, etc; the cheapest simplest method is to drill a 1/4" hole about 2" deep into the masonry.<br />Then place 2 teco nails, side by side, heads against each other and your anchor or wire in between and drive em in.<br />They will not come out!<br />I wanna see finish pics! <br />