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DaveBell
Moderator
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# Posted: 13 Mar 2016 06:20pm
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One thing I have plenty of in West Virginia is rocks. I plan on making some stone walls around the property entrance using slip forms. But I was thinking about maybe building the cabin with stone walls since the material is free, except bags of mortar. Are there types of rock to avoid?
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neb
Member
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# Posted: 13 Mar 2016 06:50pm
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I wouldn't think that a rock that isn't non erodible wouldn't work. I would definitely consider using and building with your rock at least a few walls with it. It would really make a nice look if done right.
I know of a few houses that have done one or two walls and it really is nice. Might take a little work and planning for a ver footing etc. but would be very nice when done.
Keep us posted on your decision.
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turkeyhunter
Member
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# Posted: 13 Mar 2016 07:59pm
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I really like the idea of a wall or 2 in the cabin for the look....I have saw several built of stone /rock cabins in the south at ponds or lakes...or the years...always luv the look...they last forever if you have the right foundation...I saved a lot of rock off my place to build my corner walls and hearth for wood stove at my camp.... BUT a friend gave me FREE wood mold bricks that were over a 100 year's old from a old plantation house...and used those and I like the way they turned out.
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Littlecooner
Member
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# Posted: 13 Mar 2016 09:01pm
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I would avoid the heavy rocks. They make the back hurt at the end of the day
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pash
Member
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# Posted: 13 Mar 2016 09:59pm
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Rocks to avoid... its all where you place them. I put in 1000's of linear feet of real rock retaining wall a few years back. I was running a landscape crew and 2 guys on my crew were 20+ year mason's from mexico. They let me start putting in some walls, and then would tear them down and tell me to start over. After about a week I figured it out and they stopped tearing them down. They then let me do the non-focal points all around. (you see who was really running this job). What I learned is there are no right answers as to where a rock fits in a wall. However, there are tons of wrong answers. Its all an art you really have to feel it.
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RichInTheUSA
Member
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# Posted: 13 Mar 2016 11:29pm
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I have a 12x12 stone foundation on my property... and my neighbor has the foundation of a stone barn, house, kitchen, and spring house
These are probably from the late 1700's, thus about 230 years old.
One thing about rock... it will be there much longer than any of us.
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 14 Mar 2016 12:30am
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Quoting: RichInTheUSA One thing about rock... it will be there much longer than any of us.
And it doesnt burn in a fire either. 
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Don_P
Member
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# Posted: 14 Mar 2016 07:55am
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Generally if the rock rings rather than thuds it is sufficient. From what I see maybe blue dolomitic limestone? An acid will fizz on limestone. On a few projects, rather than a true slipform, I've formed just the hidden backside of the wall. Mix mortar and concrete and lay the face stones with mortar then shovel in generous pea gravel concrete and quickly laid fill stone back to the form. A "rubblestone" wall should be a minimum of 16" thick.
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DaveBell
Moderator
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# Posted: 14 Mar 2016 04:14pm
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I'm no expert but from what I have found on the net I think it is gray sandstone. I need to grab a piece and take it to an expert.
Don_P, like vinegar?
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 14 Mar 2016 04:27pm
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Quoting: DaveBell like vinegar
OR a drop of battery acid
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Don_P
Member
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# Posted: 14 Mar 2016 08:39pm
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I use muriatic... dilute hydrochloric acid. Battery acid would be strong enough to show. I'm not sure if vinegar is strong enough to fizz but worth a try. Sandstone will not fizz... and it has sure fooled me into thinking it was limestone or one of the calcerous rocks before.
This is a geology site I've enjoyed that explains the region;
http://csmres.jmu.edu/geollab/vageol/vahist/
We were touring a small museum in a town not too far away when I passed a case and recognized our rocks... labeled semi precious It seems to be a well kept secret.
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