Information on sandstone

[Mackie Byars]

I wondered if it’s all right to use sandstone to stack on the inside wall of the bog? Mine stands in several inches of water and I wondered about the powdery substance you get with sandstone. Can it be washed clean. Thanks!

 

[Relic]

I'm no expert, but in my neck of the woods we have some sandstone that's so soft a baby could bite through it. There is also some sandstone that would nearly dull a titanium drill bit. It might just depend on what you actually have there. But I've got chunks of sandstone in my pond to weigh down some baskets and it has been there 20+ years with no noticeable bad effects...

 

[addy1]

I used some, in AZ , for my steam, it lasted just fine.

 

[brokensword]

the entire facia of my bog has water running over it continuously and it's sandstone. Should be okay but realize, it IS a softer stone! Don't expect it to outlast the next dinosaur extinction age!

 

[Mackie Byars]

Yes brokensword, I saw your picture of your bog, and thought it was so pretty. I bought some sandstone large rocks, but they were so powdery I worried they would cloud the water. I think I’ll check them out at another place. Your pond and bog are amazing!

 

[brokensword]

Yes brokensword, I saw your picture of your bog, and thought it was so pretty. I bought some sandstone large rocks, but they were so powdery I worried they would cloud the water. I think I’ll check them out at another place. Your pond and bog are amazing!

thank you!

I typically have only seen sandstone in flats; what's nice is I had to cut every piece to fit on a 6" shelf and it scores/cuts easily, then breaks the same. I'd still be doing this if i'd used any harder flagstone type!

 

[SarahT]

I'd hose it off before you get it stacked for the pond to see if that removes the powdery stuff, then see if it sticks together well enough for your liking. Sandstones range from being very friable (crumbly) and porous to quite durable and solid and hold together well. Be rough on it when you test, as you want it tough. "Powdery" would concern me somewhat as to how well it will hold together, and if it is porous (water seeps in or trickles through it), any wet sandstone or other rock can start to crack and break apart with freezing temperatures (as the moisture expands when it freezes). Good luck, send pictures.

 

[GBBUDD]

Yes the answer is how competent your sand stone is it is not all created equal. Up in CT they have a red sand stone that is highly desirable and is a good building product but you realy need to know your rock to pick it out for construction use. The lower end of the scale sand stone can be so soft its literally like a course sponge and you'd never want to use it for anything not even a single corse edging to a garden. But like addy said out in Arizona they have some competent sand sand as well but it does wear easily.

 

[Jhn]

Agree with what everyone said, it depends the sandstone where I live in Maryland, some holds up better than others, but all of it breaks down eventually. So the stuff I have pulled out of the ground here, pulled some big pieces out during the build phase of my pond. I used on the outside of the pond proper, but wouldn’t use it inside the pond even the harder stuff as even it slowly breaks apart. Personally, I like mixing the sandstone rock in around the edges, as it will grow moss on it have had ferns and hostas pop up and get a foot hold in the rock, looks natural around pond edges.

 

[Mackie Byars]

Thanks for all the information. The sandstone I found was really chalky and looked like milk running off when you washed it. I decided to use the rocks I already had. I loved the look of the stacked sandstone, but I‘m afraid the stone I found was poor quality.

 

[brokensword]

Thanks for all the information. The sandstone I found was really chalky and looked like milk running off when you washed it. I decided to use the rocks I already had. I loved the look of the stacked sandstone, but I‘m afraid the stone I found was poor quality.

you could always source some type of flagstone; it's harder!

 

[GBBUDD]

When sand stone is rubbed it can give off a fine powder very quickly, especially the softer the stone is. iF YOUR LETTING IT GET WET YOU'LL KNOW WITHIN AS YEAR if it is rock thats going to fall apart or not . if you can scratch the sand stone with your finger nail then id say its the very soft weathered sand stone if you need a screw driver to scratch it then you should be fine