Stone masonry in Mesquite TX - stone walls that keep water out of the joints
Crumbling joints, loose stones or a bare wall you want faced in stone? We set and repoint stone so water has nowhere to sit.
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What does stone masonry on a Mesquite house involve, from new veneer to repointing?
Stone masonry in Mesquite usually means setting stone veneer on a wall or repointing an older stone wall, where we rake out the worn mortar from the joints and pack in fresh. Done well, both help keep water from getting into the wall and damaging the stone, and the work often goes along with brick and foundation repairs on the same house.
Most calls are about one of two things, an older stone wall whose joints have worn out or a wall you'd like faced in new stone. The price moves with the size of the wall, the stone you pick, how much old mortar has to come out and how easy the wall is to reach, and the schedule mostly turns on getting your stone in hand and on the city's permit and inspection steps when your job needs them. When I come out, the estimate lays out your options plainly, so you can choose with real numbers in front of you.
How can you tell a stone wall needs work?
Mortar rubbing out of joints
If you can scrape the mortar out with a key, or it sits well back from the face of the stone, it's worn past doing its job. Water gets into those open joints and starts working on the stone itself, so waiting can turn a repointing job into resetting stones.
A stone that rocks loose
A stone that moves when you push it, or sounds hollow when you tap it, usually has a gap behind it or has lost its grip on the wall. Water collects in that gap, and if it's left alone the stone can come off and loosen the mortar around its neighbors.
Damp patches after rain
Dark patches that stay long after the rest of the wall has dried, or a white powder on the face, mean water is moving through the wall and not drying out the way it should. It's worth catching early, because that trapped moisture keeps feeding the same damage you see in the joints.
Often done alongside stone work
Brick pointing
Brick joints wear out just like stone ones, and brick wants its own mortar mix, so it's worth having both looked at during one visit.
Foundation repair
When cracks show up in several walls at once, have the foundation checked first, because fresh mortar on a moving house tends to open right back up.
How we handle stone masonry, from mortar to the last stone
On an old stone wall, I start by finding which joints have gone soft, then we rake the worn mortar out down to sound material, and on wide stone joints that can mean going several inches deep. Stone needs mortar that lets the wall dry out, so we choose the mix with that in mind, a bit like a pot lid that lets the steam escape instead of trapping it. When we set new stone, we fill in fully behind each piece so water has nowhere to sit, because one stone veneer guide calls full mortar behind every stone essential and warns that even small gaps can collect water and lead to early failure. That's a fair question to ask anyone bidding your wall, and when we're done we clean the site down, a habit I brought with me from restaurant kitchens.
Stone often shares a wall with brick on houses around here, and if yours does, we can do brick pointing while we're there, with each mortar matched to its material. If cracks run in a stair-step line through stone and brick together, I'll want to rule out a moving house first, since foundation repair has to come before new joints or they usually crack along the same line.
Barrier wall veneer
A barrier wall relies on the mass of the stone and mortar to soak up moisture, so it suits owners who'll keep an eye on the joints. A crack in this kind of wall opens a path for water into the house, which is why sound joints matter so much here.
Cavity wall veneer
A cavity wall is built to keep water from getting in to begin with, so it suits walls that take a lot of weather. Whoever you hire, ask which of the two systems their bid uses, and I'll tell you which one I'm pricing and why.
Get a free on-site estimate for your stone wall
Send the form and we'll reply within 1 business day to set a time for me to see your wall. The estimate is free with no obligation, and a call to (972) 402-6919 works too.
Call (972) 402-6919Why Mesquite homeowners call Stonework Mesquite Concrete and Masonry for stone work
The owner walks every estimate
I come out myself to look at your wall, answer your questions and put the estimate together. Our crew of trained masons does the work and I check in on site, so the person who quoted the job sees it built.
Careful mortar work since 2013
We've been in business since 2013, and we're best known for careful mortar and brick repair. On stone, that means materials picked to suit what's already on your house, so the new work fits the old.
Licensed and fully insured, every job
We're licensed and fully insured. That matters here, because Mesquite requires a professional license from the city before a contractor can get a building permit.
Built to Mesquite's masonry rule
Mesquite requires main buildings in neighborhoods platted since 2004 in its AG, R and D zones to keep at least 90% of their outside walls, not counting doors and windows, in brick, stone, block, stucco or other masonry. When we replace or add stone on one of those homes, we keep that rule in mind along with the look of the house.
On a stone wall, the work that matters most is the part you can't see later, the mortar mix and what's behind each stone, and our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee. Tell us about your wall and I'll come take a look.
What happens after you call about a stone wall in Mesquite?
Call or send a message
Call (972) 402-6919 or use the form and tell us what's going on with the wall. We'll set a time that suits you for me to come out.
I look at it with you
I walk the wall with you, show you what I see and explain what's causing it. You get an estimate with your options laid out plainly, so you know what each choice involves before you decide anything.
We handle permits and work
When the job needs a permit, we take care of the city or county steps, and permitted work has to stay open until the city's inspectors approve it, so plan for that pause before anything gets covered. Then our crew does the work carefully and keeps the site clean as we go.
We walk the finished job
Before we pack up, I walk the finished wall with you and explain what we did and why. You'll know what to keep an eye on over the years and what can safely wait.
Common questions
What does stone veneer cost around Dallas?
Stone veneer installation in the Dallas-Fort Worth area usually costs about $2,300 to $8,800 per job. That's the going range around here, not our price, and the size of your wall and the stone you choose decide where your job falls in it. The on-site estimate gives you the figure for your own wall.
Who issues building permits in Mesquite, and can a homeowner apply?
In Mesquite, the city's Building Inspection Division reviews plans and issues construction permits. Permits go to licensed contractors or to homeowners who own and live in the home and have it homesteaded through the Dallas Central Appraisal District.
Can dry stack stone go on an outside wall?
Dry stack usually isn't the pick for outside walls where it freezes and thaws. One stone veneer guide doesn't recommend open joints outdoors where freeze and thaw cycles happen, and says dry stack suits indoor work or warm climates where it doesn't freeze. If you like the look, I'm glad to talk through where it fits on your project.
Why does the mortar matter so much when repointing a stone wall?
The mortar has to let moisture move out of the wall and dry, or the stone itself takes the damage. Preservation guidance on repointing warns that the wrong mix can harm the stone, so it's fair to ask anyone bidding how their mortar lets the wall dry out.
What is the best stone for an outdoor wall in Mesquite?
The best stone for an outside wall is one suited to exterior use, because not every type and variety of natural stone is. Most natural stone holds up well, but this matters most when you're choosing stone for an exterior wall, so check that the one you like is meant for outdoor use before you commit.
How do I clean a stone veneer wall without loosening the stone?
Clean it gently and skip aggressive high-pressure washing. One stone veneer guide warns that high pressure might loosen the stone, and says gentle cleaning suits these walls. If you're not sure what's safe for yours, ask me when I'm out there.
Send us photos of your stone wall
A few photos, the wall's rough size and whether you're after new veneer or repointing let me come out ready to talk about your actual wall.