Repointing a Stone Foundation

If you have ever seen a stone foundation, it is likely that you have noticed worn out or missing mortar between the stones. What has happened is that spaces in the joints between the stones have eroded due to weathering and decay of the mortar. Once these voids are created, they become open pathways for water to get into the walls
. Stone walls can be destroyed over time as the water expands and contracts during seasonal changes. When the water freezes, it will expand and destroy mortar that has been weakened over time.

When this happens, the mortar joints on the stone foundation will need to be repointed. Repointing or Tuckpointing a Sudbury ma stone foundation involves removing and discarding damaged and worn mortar between stone units. Once the old mortar is cleared, new mortar is introduced to the empty spaces. This process reinforces the stone foundation and eliminates the threat of water damage for the life the new mortar. A talented masonry contractor will be able to provide this service to you.

It is extremely important to hire a qualified and experienced repointing masonry contractor. A general contractor who is a jack of all trades will probably not be the right repointer for you. Try contacting a Massachusetts foundation repair contractor and prequalify them by asking for references and examples of similar previous work. If you are very cautious, you can hire a masonry contractor to repoint a small portion of the stone foundation so that you can examine their work first hand. The repointing professional that you hire will need to cut out the damaged mortar joints to proper depth and width without damaging the surrounding stones; properly prepare the new mortar that will be used on your stone foundation; replace new mortar with proper layering, compacting, and tooling; and accurately match the color of the original mortar joints. It is also important that your Massachusetts foundation repair professional operates in a clean manner so that the finished stone foundation does not need extensive cleaning.

You may also want to talk to your masonry contractor about the various types of mortar that can be used for your stone foundation. As with anything else, there very rarely is a one-size-fits-all option. There are certain mortars for different masonry units. A mortar that is good for brick may not be good for stone. It is in your best interest to figure out which mortar will be the best solution for your stone foundation repointing project.

Stone foundations are absolutely beautiful. By following the tips in this article, you will be able to hire a qualified masonry contractor to repoint your stone foundation and restore it back to a structurally and aesthetically pleasing state. It is best to get the job done right the first time, so always make sure that you ask the right questions before hiring and paying an unqualified contractor. Most Massachusetts foundation repair and masonry contractors will be able to provide you with the quality service that you deserve.