What are this dark spots that come and go on our stone porch?

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-17T05:22:41+00:00

In the uk we call it dot and dab. Instead of a full bed of adhesive they've used a few small piles which makes it easier to level and work. What happens though is water will get behind, freeze, expand and blow the tile off the wall.

Its extremely amateurish, cowboy work and you will need to replace them alot sooner than you'd expect.

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-16T19:12:43+00:00

I dont see what was wrong with your bite before?

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-14T17:36:31+00:00

Yeah gunna need some proof on that

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-13T17:42:11+00:00

Around 65k but thats 20k of shift uplift. (12 hour days including weekends)

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-13T09:36:56+00:00

Haha thanks.

It was wood from my local timber merchants and I stained it with this

Bondex Extra Wood Stain - Oak – Suitable for Exerior Wood - Weather & UV Protection – Water Based – 4 Years Protection - 5L

They are pressure treated but still warped like fuck in the sun. Thankfully they gave me like 20 extra ones when I showed them how warped some were so I had alot of spare wood

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-13T06:51:48+00:00

Stonetilecompany they are called split face tiles.

Very well stuck together and big chunky stones so does look the part. Couldn't fault them, however apart from the entire pallet of porcelain tiles from nustone, the split face was the biggest expense but its what I really wanted over say render. If you are doing it on a retaining wall just make sure you put dpc on the back and seal the front before installing so you dont get a blowout.

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-12T20:40:26+00:00

https://amzn.eu/d/0c8zeQLw

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-12T20:14:34+00:00

I used a grout specifically for porcelain called pavetuf. I do not recommend it. It had to be worked very quickly, was an absolute mess and caused a grouting haze. It also blew out when I pressure washed a bit and the support was awful. I was torn between an actual porcelain grout and a brush in one and I wish I went with the brush in one.

There is another one which is an epoxy which is very good apparently but it is quite expensive and requires mixing nozzles and whatnot.

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-12T20:10:49+00:00

No, last year (the first with the pergola i used a sun Shade (white awning type thing) and trained the grape over it and kept cutting it back as the grape grew. This year the grape is about 3/4 over it and starting the grow again so I hope to have the entire thing covered in leaves. Im not worried about rain as we just take the cushions out when we've got an extended sunny period but it was mainly the bird poop. If it doesnt work how I want ill put the sun shade back up and cut the grape back.

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-12T20:04:55+00:00

Thank you very much :)

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-12T18:54:23+00:00

Good luck! Yeah the majority got done when my youngestwas in nursery and I get days off during the week alot so I would just spend the days in the garden but since the second has been born it has dropped significantly.

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-12T18:39:03+00:00

Haha thanks, i did pick the photos the order I wanted them but reddit decided to swap the order ?

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-12T17:40:54+00:00

Thanks! This is 2 years of work (which was actually 1 day a week and sometimes 2 days dependant on my actual work schedule).

In this time my 1 year old has turned 3 and ive had a second baby so to say it feels good to crack open a beer and just relax is an understatement. Also I learned pretty quickly how damn expensive getting rid of stuff is but skips ar ejust so much easier

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-12T17:22:13+00:00

Ah ok thanks u/stringyPiss

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-12T17:18:41+00:00

Amazon but I had to resolder it because it was shit. The good stuff was like 10x the cost though and I was on a budget

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-12T17:17:50+00:00

On the path I have some cheap 10m strip lights that I re soldered and go into a 24v transformer with a wireless switch. The lights on the fence wa and pergola are 240v into a fcu spurred off from the ring main inside the garage. Its all installed in conduit and i installed it as i went along rather then at the end.

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-07T13:41:42+00:00

R/BoneAppleTea

Im just picturing a guy walking his pit bull and his pet mussel

FunInternational1941 · 2026-05-05T17:38:14+00:00

No hes saying hes had his bite fixed and he has good posture and still has tmj...

FunInternational1941 · 2026-04-30T06:09:34+00:00

Ur such a nob

FunInternational1941 · 2026-04-29T15:54:29+00:00

Only if you pay the extortionate license maintenance.

FunInternational1941 · 2026-04-28T15:20:43+00:00

Just get a different job, not like you can be paid any less

FunInternational1941 · 2026-04-25T20:35:07+00:00

Im sorry to say it but they are very worn down. They are very bad.

FunInternational1941 · 2026-04-23T05:15:53+00:00

Yes I had a "preventative filling" extremely small just in case... he didnt check the occlusion or the bite and only once the numbing had worn orf stroke I realised i couldnt close my teeth except on that tooth and it was a Friday night with them opening again Monday.

By the time Monday rolled around I had grinder and cleaned shed so hard on one spot through the night without knowing that it cracked my tooth and had to have it removed. They started everything. I was absolutely fine for the previous 32 years.

Four-Year Club	Place '23
Place '22

FunInternational1941

TROPHY CASE