Abandoned Church Renovation (Prepping for a French Drain!) Ep.15

just like the title says!
Check out all the videos of this project here: • ABANDONED CHURCH Renov...
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Custom Music made for me by Vinnie Longhi of the Semi-Supervillains
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[@geofflewis4815]

Hello Matt, a tip when pointing brickwork or blockwork, it is useful to use a Hawk (British term) which is made by a piece of plywood approx 6"×6"× 1/2" thick with a piece of broom handle or sledge shaft screwed to the under side, then with a Pointer trowel, pat the cement flat approx 1/2" thick and cut off a pieces of cement, using the side of the Pointer trowel to press the cement into the Joint, the Hawk will save quite a bit of cement from falling on the floor. To finnish use an old bucket handle, " metal " with a slight curve to add a bit of neatness or 1/2" copper pipe. You are doing very well with all the Building work 👍👍👍please keep your videos coming best wishes, Geoff Lewis, Wales, UK, 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@katsiduzynski488]

When we had a home which suffered flooding in basement after a severe flood, we dug out around the perimeter, down to the footing grade 6 feet, repaired the mortar with new, on the outside as well as inside, coated the exterior with heated asphaltum sealant, covered that with plastic after lining the exterior of the tarred foundation walls with the blue board styrofoam made by Dow. It was 2, 3 inches thick board. The whole deal was backfilled as we went along doing 1 side of the houses length at a time. The result was no more leaks and a comfortable 55 degree year round basement. Additional improvement interior wise meant a new poured basement floor and drainage which was upgraded in laundry area and a basement shower added as well. Happy with the results would recommend sealing the exterior walls of a house below surface grade to footings all the time. You cannot go wrong. The interior fix as to mortar meant no bugs as well as nicely looking basement walls throughout. Easier to paint that way with breathable masonry paint also.

[@bohnfrazer7097]

When I first saw the walk thru of this building I thought “Run, don’t walk away as fast as you can.” But after watching these videos I can see the potential and I have to admire the hard work, risk taking, vision, and fearlessness of this couple. I hope they make a ton of money after the project is finished. Not many people would take on this one.

[@papajon6715]

Re: random ramblings Tuckpointing At the masonry supply ask for a "pastry bag". It will be identical to the ones your bride uses, just larger and of heavier construction, and is used in the very same manner. Perhaps you might consider 'male incompetence" which they always believe and do it for you. You can also make your own 'pastry bag' by using heavy weight plastic sheeting cut round, folded repeatedly in half, tape the seam, then snip off the end to the appropriate size. Pressure Washer I always install inline filters and shut-off valves and use the shut-off valve to shut down the motors, that way the carb can't varnish up. Pressure Washer Tip: I purchased a rotary nozzle for my pressure washer and it literally rips off any flaking paint and they only cost 10-15 dollars. I love the videos and commentary!

[@roygunter3244]

I was an electrician on a project where the guy running the job poured the foundation and missed one end of the building by two feet. It was a one story commercial building. Another guy on the job had stubbed up the conduit for outlets on that end wall and he just turned it up in the middle of the foundation. The block layers were needing the conduit put in as the end wall went up and I went out to take care of it. I saw the conduit turned up and couldn't believe it the guy missed the wall. The guy running the job sent a laborer over to bust up and remove enough floor so I could get to the wall. They had just put a bunch of rebar in the floor and juxtaposed it over the foundation. The man who screwed up the foundation said not to tell anyone because it would be okay, the building is now still standing and being used 39 years later but it was not okay and isn't okay. This was a well known company that did the work, possible someday someone like you will see it and shake his head and wonder how anyone can be so cavalier in the way they do work, after being in construction for well over 40 years before I retired I don't wonder at all.

[@scrappinbig2239]

I have been enjoying watching your videos and I just finished watching the mortar repairs that you did . I do have a suggestion for you if you have more to do , a cheap way is to get a cake decorating kit and use the icing bag and fill it with the mortar to get it into the cracks and holes , or a bit more expensive way they sell mortar in a tube for caulking guns , it's mortar and epoxy mixed together in the tube . I'm sure they sell the bag (cake decorating) but in industrial strength in home depot or similar in your area . That may help and make it go by faster .

[@garymucher9590]

I am glad you are doing this the right way and not shortcutting it. In the long run, doing it the proper way will pay off. Still amazes me how so many choose the shortcut way to save some time and money, and then have to redo it all that cost more time and more money. Net results never works out saving anything that way. Thumbs Up!

[@KenSilvers]

for tucking joints I use a piece of plastic sheeting folded into a pocket, use several thicknesses of plastic. Cut off small corner on pocket... twist up into a bakers frosting bag and squeeze out into the cracks... its very efficient and sticks well.

[@hallenw]

Next time... fill a gallon baggie with mortar, cut a corner off and squeeze mortar into the voids.

[@dennisolsen4507]

Or buy a five dollar grout bag. Actually some cost less than that and are reusable.

[@peterg.8245]

Watch Steve Summers rebuild his shop with a grout bag

[@RANDALLOLOGY]

I found with a grout bag you have to get the motor pretty wet in order to use it properly. Getting it too wet can degrade the structural integrity of the motor when it dries.

[@truckersgamingchannel9904]

Grout bags makes that easy

[@pd9717]

They sell refillable caulking tubes for this too

[@ernesthilliker711]

MATT, IF YOU HAVE A GROOVING TOOL, THATS USED ON BRICKS THAT WORKS WELL BUT USE A LARGER TROWEL SO YOU DON'T DROP A LOT OF MORTAR, YOU'LL GET THE HANG OF VERY QUICKLY! THE GROOVING TOOL WORKS FASTER!

[@2H80vids]

One thing I've noticed about your channel Matt: you seem to get more constructive criticism/tips, and less smart-ass know-it-all types than many other channels. Quite apart from being less annoying for you, it also makes the comments section more interesting to read through. Fair play to your subscribers.👍✔

[@DieselCreek]

Yes there’s always a few smarties in every crowd but mostly people are decent and offer helpful tips!

[@richysee]

Hey there Matt. Vee belt squealing occurs when the belt bottoms out in the pulley, allowing the sides of the belt to slip and squeal and replacing the belt won't fix it. The only answer is to identify which pulley is worn out and replace it. There's also the possibility that the the wrong profile belt has been installed. There are I believe, three profile sizes, A, B and C.

[@uliwehner]

I will be watching. I used to do this kind of waterproofing in the 70s and 80s in Germany. Both on new structures and restoring old and i mean old structures. My next step after putting on a uniform layer would be spraying fiber reinforced bitumen with a graco airless. Then put on glass fiber matt to cover all the transitions. Then spray on a 2nd layer of bitumen. Then make sure i use a beer can or bottle at the bottom to form a good transition ti the slab. Then the 2 inch styro to protect the bitumen from rock damage as suggested. You can of course apply the bitumen with a trowel but sprayed is way better way faster and uses less material. We worked with Deitermann to develop a cold sprayable fiber reinforced bitumen that eould go through a slightly modified Graco airless spray gun. I could do thousands of square feet in a day. Entire bridges....

[@Quake81270]

Incase you have to redo mortar anywhere else go buy a mortar bag. Its like a canvas bag that looks like a huge cake decorating bag for icing. We had to repoint our house and we have those same decorative blocks and my next-door neighbors father is a mason and he told us the trick. Use backer rod for big cracks when filing cracks with hydraulic cement and go buy pastry icing bags it will save you tons of money and time. Added benefit the bags are reusable if you buy the canvas ones.

[@robbridges7810]

What I have found, is if you need it for structure put the mortar in, but if you don’t just use a good caulking. Then seal over it. You should use the plastic dimple wrap over your sealer. This helps wick the water down fast and is pretty responsible in price. I always backfill with rock to give it that little extra safeguard.

[@dyannejohnson6184]

Wow binge watch…loving series…I will say as a 80 year old…I started from scratch…ferreting equipment….as my company grew I had a sense of achievement I see in you. Koodos: too I’ve enjoyed all your personal challenges in preparing equipment!! I MAY NOTBE. RELATED TO YOU…BUT I CAN ADOPT YOU…FEEL PROUD OF YOUR INGENUITY AND SAY …I DONT COME BACK FOR NOTHING

[@huntergreen8212]

I find that spaying it on works the best and it covers everything.

[@bobs1345]

FWIW; A short concrete block sealing experience from me. I live in a house that was built in the middle of the last century. The chimney is constructed of concrete block with flue liners. Since the time of construction we always had a leak during heavy rains that bypassed the flashing between the chimney and the roof. The roof has been replaced three times and different flashing method were used but all failed. It was not until a few years ago that I figured out the real problem. All concrete blocks are porous. Because of this porosity the water surface tension can penetrate the block and conduct the water through the blocks bypassing the cut in flashing. The simple cure for fixing this 60 year water leak was getting "Flex seal liquid" and coating the block. The flex seal penetrates into the block where the water previously conducted through. I don't know if your water proofing compound has this capability but I do know that I fixed my leaky chimney. I been retired for 15 years and have no connection with FlexSeal products.

[@MsLesset]

Hello @bob s; your comment is 2 yrs old by the time I write this. I read it last year and I used flex seal as well when I ran into about the same issue with my french drain. Now I got the video again in my feed and I wanted to say thank you for this comment, it made a big difference!!

[@TyphoonVstrom]

Two easy ways to remove that PVC. One, use a punch same outside diameter as the tube and drive it through. Two, just run a drill down the PVC same diameter as the OD of the tube. It'll usually get about halfway in, grab the pipe and spin it out.

[@humancattoy7767]

Oh My Giddy Aunt! It's a bona fide miracle that steeple/belfry hasn't fallen.

[@susanfabian1521]

When my son tuck pointed my chimney he used something flat & rectangular he had the mortar on & he held it against the brick & used a tool that was skinny & longish to shove the mortar between the bricks. Them he used a brush to get the mortar off the brick. It looked nice & neat.

[@ThePostApocalypticInventor]

Yes! nice to see this project continue! It's what first brought me to this channel and I love the series!

[@Ryan___0]

Same here! I've since gone back to watch most of the previous videos too :) also subbed to you, will there be more on the camper renovation btw?

[@trickyricky12147]

Same here!

[@iamwhoiamd7056]

Same here too.

[@After_Tech_Industries]

I watch D.C. for med. - large equipment restoration... And i watch P.A.I. for smaller restorations... And now I find out that they know about each other...

[@astrobytes777]

@@Ryan___0 post

[@marlenekutcher938]

If you fill a freezer plastic bag with cement then snip a corner you can squeeze the concrete into the crack. Just like a pastry chef putting icing on a cake. Great progress on this newly purchased abandon Church. Yes I realize am just catching up on this project which is not current.

[@DieselCreek]

Actually I think this video means your all caught up lol

[@DadzorRules]

Glad you got back to the church; I missed the old girl!

[@leematchett5588]

I hope you are able to keep the bell tower/steeple to give the building some curb appeal and more importantly, as a nod to its heritage as a church in that community. Food for thought. Really enjoying this series.

[@paulybouy.163]

Pointing technique lol 2 trowels, slide mort off big with little into crevice that way it doesn’t hit the ground. And moisten work surface does make it adhere better Have a happy weekend

[@arnoldromppai5395]

when you do any ch-pointing of blocks or bricks you need to add in the bonding agent, its an elmers product in gallon jugs, it looks like watered don milk, made for adding to your cement mix. it works like a glue, you air chisel out all the loss grout and wire brush it.blow it out with compressed air. to prep, use a pointing tool to push the grout in deep. and make the set in i did a 5 story building

[@HamiltonvilleFarm]

Nice work brother 👍

[@timlarcombe9096]

That wall is never going to be a looker but kudos for sticking with it. 👍

[@barrb6134]

Just a tip, before you backfill and after you've used the rubberized coating, place 1" of styrofoam on the portion that's below grade. REASON: the 1" of styrofoam will protect the coating from punctures, (ie, rocks/stones), which is usually what causes the rubberized coating to fail.

[@gubr]

What about some dimpled core sheet?

[@barrb6134]

@@gubr thats good also. however the styrofoam also provides some insulation as well. I suppose it would come down to cost effectivness but either will do the job of puncture protection.

[@horstszibulski19]

I've seen some dimpled plastic sheets over coarse soft styrofoam, both covering a thick layer of bitumen coating. Nicely done it will protect against uprising moisture for ages!

[@uliwehner]

Think of the sqealing as a sound showing that the belt is still in place

[@dover9783]

Good point. I was going to say the same thing. If he doesn’t do a rubber coating or some sort of membrane this is almost for nothing. He’ll have more issues in the future.

[@brandonaaron2665]

A year later and it looks more abandoned than before lol. Cant wait to see it finished and rented out!

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

@rats arsed What the hell makes you say that?

[@lindamiller2723]

@rats arsed Oh geeze, there he is, "That one guy". Rats Arsed indeed.

[@tac0ninja76]

Not saying I could do it any better or it is easy but the thought that came to my mind is you mortar like a toddler eats, most of it ends up on the ground. Keep up the good content.

[@andrewclarkehomeimprovement]

Once the pointing of the obvious cracks is done, I'd paint the whole area subsoil with a thick bitumen paint as water will seep through cracks you can't see and tenants are going to hate damp and leaks. Bitumen paint will fill and cover all the stuff you can't see. Always happy to help with my timeshare braincell.

[@TF856]

I worked on a crew for a while that did tuckpointing which is what you are doing and they had a special tool for it. It was kind of shaped like a piece of metal tubing but one end was wider than the other. You could fill in the narrow cracks with the narrow end and the wide cracks with the wide end. You just drag the end of it along the crack and push the mortor in. That's how they get that concave slot between bricks normally.

[@jofoster4129]

Absolutely love it when you have the church renovation on. Thank you for sharing it with us

[@jaywest4102]

Huge headaches can be avoided with a good French drain and proper grading.

[@JosephKnueppel]

Matt you're one smooth operator behind that excavator show them how to operate a machine like a pro 👍

[@tman3036]

Gotta piss with what you got. Whatever it takes to get the job done. There's not always time to worry about doing everything the "right" way.

[@martineastburn3679]

Swevel head would be handy - bucket square to building as you walk the machine. Making side cutting easy. Just more ways to spend your money.

[@DisabilityPCTech]

People in general call what your doing work ~ But I think your an artist and the world is your canvas

[@danandyong6653]

A somewhat easy way is to mix the mortar a bit thinner, and use a grout bag to squeeze the mortar in.

[@Military-Museum-LP]

Wow no base on this addition! They poured the concrete on the dirt and made no attempt to connect re rod to the two structures. Incredible! I think I would sleep better tearing the front section down. Great informative video Matt. Thanks

[@equid0x]

Now we know why the flashing is pulled away. The tower is leaning.

[@richardjbueche]

I sure hope the local entities cut this guy some slack to get all of the improvements done, before they come around asking for property taxes. I mean, which is worth more in potential property taxes to the city? An abandoned church or a 4-apartment complex? I would think the 4-apartment complex. Here, he is still working on the outside. Much yet to be done on the inside of the building, before it is ready for tenants to move in.

[@chipspencer8040]

When you fellas work them excavators you make it look so easy,and I darn well it's not .

[@DieselCreek]

Thanks friend!

[@antdia6759]

a helpful tip a brickie gave me was putting dish soap in the mortor keeps it creamie and makes it more work able

[@craigsmith8217]

Rotating nozzles are the cat meow. You will be amazed at how much better they are than a straight nozzle.

[@davidmc8110]

My final attempt to stop the belt squealing was to also change the water pump, and it worked; it had just enough drag in those old bearings.

[@erik365365365]

Spray on waterproofing would have been my go to on this. Expensive but basically bullet proof plus it has some insulation value to it.

[@flamingskoda]

I find what we call a gauging trowel here in 🇬🇧 is most useful for pointing and general work. I'm off work with a broken metatarsal so enjoying catching up on your church project.

[@brentking-gmailking2570]

Good video. Thanks for sharing. Cannot wait to see the next one. Have a great weekend.

[@vegasprepperone]

more church videos !!! we wait for those !!! great job cant wait to see more soon !!!!!!!!!!!! its what brought me here too !!! love the series !!!!!!!!!!

[@125sm3]

Small steps, use a small bit of squashed copper pipe to recreate the smooth pointing of the bricks.

[@backhomeprepper]

I'd use an old auger bit the size of the outside diameter of the pipe and drill them out. Any leftover bits can be whittled away with a screwdriver.

[@bobkelly9925]

I wouldn’t let the gutters drain into the french drain. Run a separate line for the gutters because during a heavy rain, the water from the gutters could fill up the french drain and saturate the foundation.

[@brucestmartin777]

Yeah that’s when I first came here too , when you started the church.. it’s fun to see the progress... I don’t think you ever showed the results from yard sale... did you sell the church pews?

[@ItsYourCastleMD]

Yeah, inquiring minds want to know. The church pews are to die for

[@donnaholenski3562]

One thing I have come to know about you is that you don't have a lazy bone in your body and you are living your passion(s). I can hardly wait to see how this turns out.

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

Pretty cool watching that old paint where the bathroom was get blasted away.

[@SparkysGarage]

Awesome vid as usual! Couple tips if you'd like. The mortar bags can help a ton in that situation (It's like a icing bag for decorating a cake). Also add a little water to the bottom of the bucket before adding mortar, it cuts down on the dust a bit and makes mixing much easier. Love the vid! -A keyboard warrior :)

[@papasteve215]

You know what you are doing on that excavator. Good job

[@marcosmota1094]

Leave the 12"x12" it's good for boots, bikes, strollers, and even an area for parcel drop-offs.

[@RustyNail5856]

looking good . better every day.

[@francistheodorecatte]

when I put a french drain on the side of my garage, I put a PVC tee on both ends and caps so I could dig it back up and continue it around later or put a downspout in.

[@vinces8974]

I was Going to put downspouts to, but I had it on a good authority that you’re not supposed to run your downspouts in your French drain

[@Tinker001]

@@vinces8974 By design, the french drain is porous. Running the downspouts into it will actually put water against the foundation if the ground isn't already soaked. OTOH... Running solid pipe for the downspouts in the same trench is fine.

[@arnoldromppai5395]

you never run down spouts into a french drain, you run a second solid pipe beside the drain tile, putting down spouts into drain tile floods your footings and all the ground around, even if your not putting around footings, never never unles you want real problems

[@Hellsong89]

@@arnoldromppai5395 Wait.. people actually do that shit?! Holy... ou right-.- people are stupid and from stupidity comes disasters. Seriously i'm afraid to even think about moving to USA with so many things that could kill you or destroy your new property, with any one of them bad decisions...

[@shanco73]

Greta to see an update on the church, keep it up Matt!

[@Sockieknowshockey]

Hydraulic cement saved me on a couple occasions. Great invention!

[@philipdean5338]

Another great video Matt, stay safe & look forward to your next episode........

[@keikun6969original]

Best thing to use when filling in pre-existing mortar holes is to use a large canvas bag (cloth icing bag) and gloved Fingers. Its what i found worked best

[@marilynlautner2454]

Your back to my favorite old church. I can’t wait to see what you do this fall and winter.

[@MakinEndsMeet69]

Next time brother let me know when you're going to grout up some holes like that and I'll send you an extra grout bag I have, it will help you out immensely. And I don't mind helping out a fellow KZbinr at all. Matter of fact if you ever need a hand just let me know I will try to get over there to help you out I don't live that far from you I mean Ohio not really that far. Great video man. You stay safe and stay well and as always God bless

[@thenoobplaysit6923]

Hey, just some advice for the next time you decide to do a small pointing job like that I always use the tubes of mortar because they are so much faster and easier to work with. They are a bit more expensive but worth every penny.

[@CrimeVid]

As an old friend once said to me “ it’s a good job you’re not doing that piecework !” Tip: put a board on the ground under where you are working, then you can pick up the dropped mortar easily and work it into your bucket, less waste less mixing.

[@joemama397]

First 10 around,good to see the church work progresses

[@lolodomacalao]

Bruh! I just binge watched all 14 episodes of the church reno! Love it! Where’s the next one?? 👍🙏

[@BrorAppelsin]

In the next episode: The leaning tower of Diesel Creek ;)

[@ndbroadberry]

Hey Matt, loving the channel mate . I'm in Nottingham England and really enjoy the vids . Any chance of a look at the plans of the church renovation?

[@timmcdonald9331]

just a thought; use a flat blade wood bit to drill out the plastic pipe, I had to do it a couble times it works but its not easy . like what you do.keep going no matter. stay safe

[@vancepursley4316]

You refer to the people who built the addition as “builders”. God bless them...they were probably church members who volunteered to do the work.

[@Bobrogers99]

I was thinking the same thing. Building that cement-block foundation may have had some advice from a professional, but I'd guess that a lot of the work was done by volunteers who really didn't know what they were doing.

[@equid0x]

I don't believe the foundation is adequate. No rebar or concrete in the blocks which is why it failed to begin with.

[@basstrammel1322]

Sounds very plausible.

[@polymaticsim]

You are using the trowel backwards, as a bricklayer you are making me cry LOL

[@DieselCreek]

Hey it was my first attempt lol

[@johnjr3870]

Yep, a mortar bag and a rotary nozzle for the washer. Both are great tools and save time. Need more vids!!!!! Great work.

[@SLYZANY]

Im officially all caught up!!!!! cant wait to see the inside remodeling your camera work in amazing BTW!!!! thank you so much for this amazing series!

[@lindawhiteman4153]

Love to watch this project, hang in there👍🏻

[@albertor124]

I following your Church project from Brazil. You are great worker.

[@Digital-Dan]

I've concluded that everybody needs at least one excavator.

[@veroniquepeltier3631]

Good job indeed. I'm following your renovation work from France. My English is improving little by little. Good luck! 💪👍😅😊

[@madelineann9269]

I'm getting a hang of it now. After half the bucket is on the ground. lol Love watching how an average joe does his work. Your doing great.

[@rayfurlong6320]

I am by no means a brick mason either, but try loading some mortar on a small board and holding it under the joint to be pointed and dragging it up into the joint. Keep up the great videos.

[@drunkdunc8738]

Doing well Matt, pvc pipe will drill out easily👍🍺

[@raywilson800]

You my friend are a Jack of all Trades. You do it good enough. If it's good enough for Meatball and Oscar it's good enough for all your viewers!

[@smasica]

Get a sheetrock taper's hawk and a 3/8" wide pointing tool for that kind of work. Load the hawk with mortar, hold it against the wall and under the joint to be filled, and push the mortar into the opening with the pointing tool. Any excess will drop onto the hawk and save a lot of material and trips to the bucket to mix more. Less clean-up afterward on the site.

[@colingriffin409]

That first scoop was impressive dude.....,could have gotten that much with my shovel!

[@wrenchinpaul]

Take a little play sand and dump it on the belt, it will clean the pulleys out. works pretty good. I enjoy watching your video's, keep em coming

[@DieselCreek]

Interesting, never heard that

[@loloberry5932]

Just some thoughts Idk if it’d work with the surrounding grades but what if the walls were left exposed and then the soil graded to drain away from the wall to a ditch or tile 5 ft from the wall. Then you’d not have to seal the walls and have more windows/doors on the bottom for units. Maybe get more rent from units that are not considered basement units as well entry doors from the outside, n not have to worry about water and moisture ingress. Could save money without needing water proofing membrane. Could maybe underpin the tower and then have all sides exposed except a walkway to the front. Anyway I’ve seen this done on houses in high rent areas to have below grade units with windows and a single story home seems like a two story home. With your landscaping skills and equipment I think you’d have no difficulty getting the grades right and wouldn’t cost much besides your time.

[@tda2806]

Add some detergent, the kind you use for washing plates and dishes, to the water it helps speed up mixing the mortar

[@ginagonzalez5763]

If you are planning to rent, it would be a good idea instead of closing the excavation, make it bigger and put a retainer wall to make it into a private patio for tenants to congregate. It would be a feature hard to resist. Maybe a sitting area with lots of plants around it during the summer, that would be their option and a slate stair to go up. Too bad you closed it all, otherwise you would have a walk out patio doors, bit the steps would get them to the hidden patio with the drainage system.

[@DieselCreek]

I’m doing that on the other side of the building

[@hillarys.k8518]

Nice work!! It's getting done .

[@henryg683]

Glad to see some progress on the church property!!keep up the good work!!!

[@philmoore71]

been waiting for the latest- enjoyable and informative as always. tks

[@mdouglaswray]

Great work as always! Thanks for taking us along. :-D

[@brianhayes7618]

Hope you beat old man winter its right around the corner. I am formally from Edinboro Pa just south of Erie so I know Pa weather love your videos

[@mariowickel456]

Yup a tuck pouring trowel would allow you to push the mortar into the joint easier than a margin trowel

[@pd9717]

When it comes to Cement or Concrete you dont press at the end. Just Gentle. Aslo that job would be easier with pointed trowel and t tuck point trowel. You may want to parge the bricks too. Its a scim coat with strong mortar mix. Hope that helps.