Bellieve it or not, in the late 1970s I reviewed a mortar spec from a
masonry restoration contractor in Buffalo, a firm that had been in business
since about 1906.  their spec included "iron filings" which I had never seen
before.  the owner swore by them, saying that when they rusted it expanded
the mortar a pressed it up against the bricks so the joints were tight.  I
pointed out the problem of staining, and the eventual disappearance of the
iron leaving voids.  He said (as all contractors do) "no one has ever
complained to me about that."
I had him delete the iron filings.

Michael (I can't make this stuff up)

----- Original Message -----
From: JRhodes <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 1999 4:06 PM
Subject: Re: Limestone/Iron


> Re: ][<en Follett's "some joints show an orange stain",
>
> Joints, you say.  Have you ruled out ferrous cramps, anchors or armatures
> buried in the stone? --Jim, again.