Stone veneer chimney repair by local pros in Oakshire

When a set stone gets disturbed

For its tight-fit products, one maker states that if a previously installed stone is disturbed while setting another, it must be removed, cleaned and reinstalled. A nudged stone has a broken bond even if it looks fine.

We keep that rule on every veneer repair. Neighboring stones that shift while we work get the same treatment as the ones we came to fix, so the finished area has no hidden weak spots.

How deep to rake out stone joints

The National Park Service's Preservation Brief 2 sets the raking depth at 2 to 2 and a half times the joint width as a minimum, so new mortar bonds and stays put. For stone masonry with wide joints, that can mean several inches.

Loose or crumbling mortar beyond that depth also comes out. The brief shows new mortar falling out of a joint that was not prepared deeply enough. We rake to a sound depth and show you the prepared joints before filling.

• At least 2 to 2 and a half times the joint width
• Deeper where mortar is loose
• Square back so new mortar locks in

Blending manufactured stone from several boxes

Manufactured stone comes in boxes with a range of sizes, shapes and colors. One maker advises spreading the stone out on site and mixing from different boxes to get a good balance, with small stones next to large ones and heavy textures next to smooth.

For repairs, the same idea applies on a smaller scale. We choose replacement pieces so the repaired patch blends with the pattern around it instead of forming a block of look-alike stones.

Written findings after the inspection

After the inspection, you receive written findings describing the stone type and construction, loose and hollow units, the joints, earlier repairs, the cap, the flashing, the base and any signs of water.

The findings also say what could not be seen, such as the barrier behind intact veneer. Keep them with your home records. They speed up the next yearly check and hand any future mason a clear record.

Family-owned stone repair, start to finish

Our business is family owned and locally owned. Whoever inspects your chimney works for the same family that does the repair, with no call center or distant head office in between.

That shows up in small ways, such as tarps down before the first chisel, mortar samples shown before the full batch and a phone call answered when you have a question weeks later.