Repointing Stone Foundations | New England Foundation Crack Repair

Stone Foundation Repointing: How to Restore and Protect Fieldstone Foundations

What Is Stone Foundation Repointing?

Stone foundation repointing is the process of removing deteriorated mortar from between fieldstones and replacing it with new, properly mixed mortar. The mortar is what holds the stones together and prevents water from penetrating the foundation wall.

When mortar fails, water intrusion, stone movement, and long-term structural damage become much more likely.

Signs Your Fieldstone Foundation Needs Repointing

If your home has a stone foundation, watch for these common warning signs:

• Mortar crumbling or falling out when touched

• Loose or shifting stones

• Damp basement walls or musty odors

• Visible gaps between stones

• Water seepage after heavy rain

These issues typically worsen over time if not addressed.

Why Stone Foundations Need Mortar Maintenance Every 20–30 Years

Older fieldstone foundations were built using softer, lime-based mortar. This mortar is intentionally weaker than the stone so it can absorb movement without damaging the stones themselves.

Over decades, exposure to moisture, temperature changes, and freeze-thaw cycles causes the mortar to erode. Repointing renews the foundation without requiring a full rebuild.

What Happens If Repointing Is Ignored?

Delaying stone foundation repointing can lead to:

• Increased water intrusion

• Accelerated stone movement

• Interior basement moisture problems

• Higher repair costs in the future

Early intervention is always more cost-effective and less invasive.

Why Professional Stone Repointing Matters

Using the wrong mortar or improper techniques can cause permanent damage to stone foundations. Professional repointing ensures the correct materials are used and that the foundation remains structurally sound for decades.

If your fieldstone foundation is losing mortar, professional stone foundation repointing is critical to prevent water intrusion and structural deterioration. Addressing mortar failure early helps protect your basement, your foundation, and your home’s long-term value.

If your fieldstone foundation is losing mortar, professional stone foundation repointing is critical to prevent water intrusion and structural deterioration. Addressing mortar failure early helps protect your basement, your foundation, and your home’s long-term value.

Stone foundation repointing is a critical maintenance service for older homes with fieldstone foundations. Over time, mortar naturally deteriorates, allowing water intrusion and stone movement. In this video, our team at New England Foundation Crack Repair explains how professional stone foundation repointing restores structural integrity and protects your basement for decades.

"Hello everybody. Good morning. This is Will, here with New England Foundation Crack Repair. I just wanted to talk to you guys a little bit about repointing stone foundations.

If you have a fieldstone foundation, and you have all your mortar falling off easily like that, you have to do maintenance on the mortar every 20 to 30 years.

So what we do is we remove all of this degraded mortar that you see out here that you can just take all of the mortar off. Then we place the stones back where it's supposed to go here, and then we fill the wall back up with brand new mortar, so that comes up easily. And then, the finished result is all set and done. After 30 days after the mortar cures, you're all set and you basically have a brand new basement. Thanks for watching.

"Hello everybody. Good morning. This is Will, here with New England Foundation Crack Repair. I just wanted to talk to you guys a little bit about repointing stone foundations.

If you have a fieldstone foundation, and you have all your mortar falling off easily like that, you have to do maintenance on the mortar every 20 to 30 years.

So what we do is we remove all of this degraded mortar that you see out here that you can just take all of the mortar off. Then we place the stones back where it's supposed to go here, and then we fill the wall back up with brand new mortar, so that comes up easily. And then, the finished result is all set and done. After 30 days after the mortar cures, you're all set and you basically have a brand new basement. Thanks for watching."

Concerned about crumbling mortar in your stone foundation? Our team specializes in professional stone foundation repointing for older homes throughout New England. Addressing mortar deterioration early helps prevent water intrusion and costly structural repairs.

📞 Call 833-NECRACK (833-632-7225)🌐 www.NewEnglandFoundationCrackRepair.com