Stone chimney repair specialists for Lake Whippoorwill homes

Cleaning manufactured stone the gentle way

Dirt on cast stone needs a light touch. The instructions we follow say it can be removed with granulated soap or detergent in water and a bristle brush, rinsed right away with fresh water. They rule out wire brushes, acid or acid-containing products, power washing and sandblasting.

Those methods can strip the colored surface of cast stone and leave marks that do not come out. We clean with the gentle method first and never reach for pressure or acid on manufactured stone.

• Detergent, water and a bristle brush
• Rinse right away with fresh water
• No wire brush, acid, pressure or blasting

Matching the sand in the old mortar

Sand is the largest ingredient in mortar by volume, and the brief notes that the color and texture of new mortar will usually fall into place if the sand is matched successfully.

We look at the old joints closely, sometimes breaking off a sample to see the sand grains. Then we compare sands and test batches until the match is close. That extra care at the start keeps the repair from reading as a patch for years afterward.

Acid cleaners and stone

Preservation guidance keeps chemical cleaners, acids above all, off dry masonry, and has the wall wetted thoroughly before any chemical and rinsed well after it. One manufactured stone maker rules out acid and acid-based products entirely.

Acid can etch some natural stones and discolor cast stone. We start with water and mild detergent, test anything stronger on a hidden spot and tell you in writing what was used and why.

Moss, algae and dirt on stone

Shaded sides of a stone chimney can hold moisture long enough for moss and algae to grow in the joints and on the stone. The growth holds water against the surface and can darken the stone.

We start with the gentlest cleaning that works, water, a mild detergent and a soft or bristle brush, and avoid pressure and harsh chemicals on the stone and joints. Where growth keeps returning, the findings note the moisture that feeds it.

Caring for stonework after the repair

Once the mortar has cured, the repaired chimney needs little. Keep gutters clear and downspouts pointed away from the stone, keep mulch and soil back from a veneer base and skip pressure washing.

Walk around the chimney after big storms and look for missing stones, new stains or a shifted cap. Anything that looks different is worth a call, and a follow-up look is part of how we stand behind the work.