Need stone chimney repair in Gainesville? Ask local pros

Stone chimneys come two ways: real stone laid up in mortar, or a thin veneer of natural or manufactured stone stuck to the chimney's face. Each one fails in its own way, so our pros, locally owned and family run, begin by finding out which kind you have. Then they reset loose stones, repoint open joints and check the drainage behind any veneer, all mapped out on a no-charge visit.

• Loose stones lifted out and reset in fresh mortar
• Natural stone chimney repair with color-matched mortar
• Stone veneer chimney repair that checks the drainage first
• Cultured stone chimney repair using the veneer maker's methods
• Open joints repointed in the original joint style

1. Tell veneer from solid stone

   First we find out how the stone is attached and whether it's natural or manufactured.

   01

2. Reset the loose stones

   Loose stones come out, their beds are cleaned to sound mortar, and they go back in a fresh bed.

   02

3. Repoint and blend joints

   Open joints are raked, filled with color-matched mortar and tooled to the original profile.

   03

4. Close the top, review together

   The crown or cap above the stone is checked so water stops getting in, then you review the result.

   04

Stone repairs run from a few reset pieces to reinstalling veneer on a new base.

Color-matched joint mortar

Repair mortar selected for the stone and existing construction, with color and texture differences discussed before work.

Replacement stone

Natural pieces sourced to match, or manufactured units from the same maker's line where it's still produced.

Lath, scratch coat and barrier

For adhered veneer, the backing system the veneer maker's installation guide calls for.

1. 01

   Solid stone or veneer

   Resetting solid stone is mostly mortar work; veneer may need its backing rebuilt first.

2. 02

   How many stones have moved

   A few loose pieces reset quickly, while a whole loose face takes much longer.

3. 03

   Finding matching stone

   Discontinued veneer or unusual fieldstone can take time to source.

4. 04

   How high the stones sit

   Stones high above a steep roof need more setup to reach safely.

• How the stone is attached, solid or adhered veneer
• Loose stones, pressed gently to find movement
• Mortar joints, checked for erosion and cracking
• Rock chimney repair needs above and below the roofline
• The crown or cap and how water leaves the top
• Stains that trace where water moves through the wall

• A stone that wiggles when you push

  Its mortar bed has failed. We lift it out, clean the bed and set it back in fresh mortar.

• Mortar washing out between stones

  Eroding joints let water into the chimney. Our pros rake and repoint them to match the joints around them.

• Veneer cracking or letting go

  The veneer's grip on its scratch coat has failed, sometimes from water behind it. We check the backing, then reset or replace the pieces.

• Streaks or white stains below stones

  Water moving through the wall is carrying salts and dirt out. We find the way in at the top or the joints and close it.

• Chimney Masonry Repair Brick and mortar on the chimney repaired with a matched mix.
• Chimney Tuckpointing Worn, sandy or cracked mortar raked out and replaced with a matched mix.
• Spalling Brick Repair and Chimney Brick Replacement Flaking, cracked or crumbling chimney bricks cut out and replaced to match.

• Stucco Chimney RepairCracked, loose or water-stained stucco on a block or framed chimney.

• Spot repointing or the whole chimney? What sets the price How much of your mortar has failed decides the size of the job, and a few other things decide where in that range it lands.

Chimney Guides