Natural and cultured stone chimney repair in Malibu Groves
We reset stones, repoint joints and match the mortar on chimneys in Malibu Groves. Book within 72 hours after your free inspection and take 10% off.
- Licensed & insured
- Locally run
- Family owned and operated
- Same-day service available
The stonework estimate for your Malibu Groves home
Look these over at your pace in Malibu Groves. The free inspection carries no obligation.
- Failed mortar removed by hand where possible
- Deep joints filled in layers
- Curing protection for fresh mortar
- Cleaning timed after the mortar hardens
Stonework know-how from our Malibu Groves crew
Resetting, repointing and the rules behind them, as our crew in Malibu Groves applies them.
Tight-fit and dry-stack styles
Some manufactured stone is fitted tightly for a dry-stacked look. The maker's instructions still require mortar between the units, with joints under three eighths of an inch, and recommend setting the bed on both the backing and the stone to reach full coverage.
Tight-fit walls are unforgiving to repair, since every piece must line up with its neighbors. We remove loose pieces, clean them and reset them level and plumb, with the same full coverage the original installation called for.
Brushing joints after tooling
After tooling, excess mortar at the edge of a joint can be brushed away with a natural bristle or nylon brush, according to the brief, which also says metal bristle brushes should never be used on historic masonry.
Metal bristles scratch stone and leave steel fragments that rust into stains. Our crew carries soft brushes for every stone job and brushes at the right point in the set, so the stone faces stay clean.
Hard stone, soft stone and mortar strength
The brief notes that a mortar strong in compressive strength might suit hard stone such as granite, and that a strong mortar is still more permeable than hard, dense stone. Softer units call for softer, more permeable mixes.
So there is no single stone mortar. We identify the stone on your chimney, look at the existing mortar and choose a mix that suits both. The mix type is written into the estimate so you know what was used.
Letting new joints age in
Even with careful matching, the brief notes there will usually be a visible difference between old and new mortar at first, partly because the new mortar was matched to unweathered portions of the old and partly because old mortar shows more sand at the surface.
The brief suggests letting properly matched mortar age naturally, and testing any staining or cleaning treatment carefully before use. We explain what to expect on day one and how the joints will change as they weather.
Checking stone after high winds
High winds can shift a cap, drive rain deep into joints and knock loose stones free. Once a storm passes, spend a few minutes looking up from the yard for gaps, a crooked cap or chips on the roof.
If anything looks different, call for a free inspection. We check the stone, the cap and the flashing, and we separate any storm damage from older wear in the findings.
Other work in Malibu Groves
-
-
-
-
-
-
What people in Malibu Groves ask before repointing
No sales talk, just stonework answers from our specialists in Malibu Groves.
Can you repair cultured stone on my chimney?
Yes. Manufactured stone is repaired to its maker's directions, which cover the backing, the setting bed, joint width and cleaning. We remove loose units, check what is behind them and reset or replace them with full mortar coverage.
How long before new stone joints can be cleaned?
New mortar needs time to harden fully before any cleaning beyond a dry brushing. Preservation guidance suggests about thirty days is usually enough before cleaning a freshly repointed wall, depending on weather and exposure. We tell you when it is safe to clean.
Request your free estimate
Share the job details and arrange a free inspection with our local team.
- Free inspection
- No hidden fees
- Family owned and operated
Need an answer now? Call (352) 675-6376
Your request is received
Thank you. We will contact you to discuss the job and confirm an appointment.