Loose stones reset and joints repointed on Park Lake/Highland chimneys
Local experts in Park Lake/Highland who find where water gets behind the stone before resetting a single piece.
- Licensed & insured
- Locally run
- Family owned and operated
- Same-day service available
Points we price on a stone job in Park Lake/Highland
Loose stone in Park Lake/Highland traces back to something on this list, and the estimate says what.
- Natural stone or manufactured veneer identified
- Base screed and clearance to soil checked
- Cap, crown and flashing work listed separately
- Flue and liner work listed separately
Stone chimney repair details for Park Lake/Highland homes
Stones, joints, cap and base, in the order our Park Lake/Highland team checks them.
Full mortar coverage behind each stone
The same instructions require a setting bed with complete coverage of the back of each unit and full contact between mortar, stone and backing. Stones are back-buttered to fill their textured backs, then pressed into a half inch to three quarters of an inch of mortar until it squeezes out around the whole edge.
Stones set with a few dabs of mortar leave voids behind them. Those voids hold water and let stones pop off. When we reset veneer, every stone goes back with full coverage.
Tinting mortar to suit the stone
Mortar color shapes how stonework looks from a distance. One maker suggests tinting regular mortar with iron oxide pigments, for example tan mortar with earth-tone stone, to complement the stone.
For repairs, the goal is to match the existing joints as they are. We mix small test batches, let them dry, since mortar lightens as it cures, and compare them with your joints before the real batch is made.
Why repointing mortar is softer than the stone
Preservation Brief 2 sets out that new mortar must have greater vapor permeability and be softer, measured in compressive strength, than the masonry units, and be as permeable and as soft or softer than the historic mortar.
The reasoning is practical. Joints are meant to be the part that wears and gets repointed. A mortar harder and tighter than the stone forces moisture and stress into the stone faces instead, and the stone pays for it. We choose the mix with that rule in mind.
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.
Water stains inside near a stone chimney
Stains on a ceiling or wall beside a stone chimney can come from the flashing, the cap, open joints or water behind veneer. The stain inside does not always sit directly below the entry point.
We check the outside of the chimney from the roof and the base, and the attic where it is accessible, to find the path. Leak repairs that are not stone work, such as flashing or cap work, are quoted on their own lines.
Other work in Park Lake/Highland
-
-
-
-
-
Learn more about stone chimney repairPark Lake/Highland services
Stone chimney answers for Park Lake/Highland homeowners
Our family-owned team in Park Lake/Highland hears these stone questions on almost every visit.
Will the new mortar match the old joints?
We match color, texture and joint profile as closely as we can, mostly by matching the sand. New mortar usually looks a little different at first and blends as it weathers. We show you a small sample area before we repoint the whole section.
Can I pressure wash my stone chimney?
We advise against it. One manufactured stone maker rules out power washing, sandblasting, wire brushes and acid cleaners, and high pressure can erode mortar joints on natural stone too. A mild detergent and a bristle brush are the safer start.
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.