HandyANDY - Correcting issues on stone masonry veneer meeting trim

Sadly, most newly constructed homes are never finished properly where stone veneer or brick meet vertical or angled trim, like cornerboards. Building inspectors aren't typically looking for these issues prior to issuing a certificate of inspection. At HandyANDY, we see these issues coming up repeatedly during inspections for a resale. Here, we have a 3-year-old where the finish & sealing issue was identified during an inspection for resale.
Current building standards call for a 3/8" gap between stone or brick and the vertical trim piece. Part of the gap is then filled at the back with foam backer rod before being caulked over with an elastromeric sealant. Obviously, this is easy to do during the new construction process but very difficult and expensive to correct if it is addressed after the home is completed.
On this house, we are dealing with a stacked stone veneer where the stones were only adhered from the back of each piece. There is almost not mortar between the stones and some mortar at the edges of vertical pieces. Around the upper windows, we will have to cut through the mortar & stone to provide the 3/8" gap. We will use specialty bits to router out around the window edges. We will do the same thing around the corner boards and exposed vertical trim. The top edges of the stacked stone and angle edges at the gable will also be sealed with clear elastromeric sealant.
HandyANDY had been repairing metro Atlanta homes for over 25 years now. We handle all sorts of issues from wood rot, siding repairs and deck repairs, to water intrusion, drainage issues and bath remodels. We do just about everything except for heating and cooling issues. We are a one-stop shop for all things home repair! You can reach us at 770-912-2829 and look for our new HandyANDY-OnDEMAND service for all the little things you need done around the home!

[@steamer482]

THANK YOU FOR THIS. This is what the industry needs to show the concerns with MSV these days. I work in the Relo inspection industry and I have this same question every week!

[@nancysmith9487]

Diamond saw on grinder. Make shift some to keeps it straight. Maybe run along side inside of window with set depth

[@Clopuszanski]

If there is a flange that was flashed do you still need to caulk? Are these new replacement windows?

[@nancysmith9487]

Skimped out on mortar? Like at Wawa

[@josiahamaze]

Crazy this a Caldwell baker home

[@NotTelling51]

wish you would have shown the finished product.

[@handyandy-handyman1454]

The finished result wouldn't show up in video. We used a clear elastromeric sealant to seal around the perimeter edge of al windows and every vertical trim on the front of the house.

[@rickj6048]

@@handyandy-handyman1454 You talked about routing around the trim to create a gap but I guess you didn't do that. Instead you just caulked sealant around all the trim as is, correct?

[@Jdstro14]

What was the name brand or name of the caulk that you used?

[@wurly164]

Please film in landscape

[@handyandy-handyman1454]

Hi sorry - not sure what you are asking about the landscape? Or do you mean how we filmed it? I think this day we were rushing and shot it with a cellphone

[@sm0keater]

@@handyandy-handyman1454 Landscape mode is activated when you turn your phone sideways. 👍🏼

[@user-lp3uu9ir4h]

Such bad stonework were the stonemasons cavemen