Stone masonry in Tyler TX - stone walls and repairs that match the house
Mortar washing out of your stone wall, or a new wall planned? We match mortar to the stone so the repair holds and blends in.
The owner sees the job first
I come out to look at your wall and write the estimate myself. I learned this trade on the wall, running crews for another mason, and a lead mason runs our crew on site.
In business since 2013
We've been at this 13 years, and we're best known for repairs that blend in with the old work. I'd rather tell you a wall can wait than sell you work it doesn't need.
Licensed and insured, and easy to reach
We're licensed and insured. I want you to know what's happening with your job without chasing anybody down. Your satisfaction, guaranteed. When you're ready, call (903) 525-6451 or send photos of your wall through the form.
Stone masonry work in Tyler, TX
Stone masonry in Tyler, TX is the work of building, repairing and repointing natural stone walls, fences and veneer. It's for homeowners whose stone joints are crumbling or washing out, and for anyone who wants new stone work that looks like it belongs to the house.
Stone itself holds up for a very long time, but the mortar between the stones wears down first. When joints go soft, sandy or hollow, the usual fix is repointing, where we take out the worn mortar and pack in fresh mortar. On new work, the job starts with the stone you pick, where the wall goes, and whether it stands on its own or covers an existing wall as veneer.
What moves the price is the size and height of the wall, the stone, and how much old mortar has to come out, by hand or by tool. What moves the schedule is mostly the permit, if your wall needs one, and any repair that has to come before the stone work. Your own figure comes from the on-site estimate, where I look at the wall and the joints in person.
Stone repair, repointing and new stone walls
We match mortar to your stone
Mortar has to suit the stone, so before we choose a mix we look at what's already in your wall, the kind of stone, and the hardness and color of the old joints. That takes a little longer up front, and it's the step a patch job usually skips. We match color and texture too, because I want a repair to look like it belongs to the house. Where stone meets old brick, we treat those joints the same way through brick pointing.
Old mortar comes out by hand
On older walls we take the old mortar out by hand, with chisels, where that's kinder to the stone than a grinder. It's slow work, and that labor shows up in the price, but it usually carries the least risk to old stone and leaves the cleanest joint. Wide joints on old stone walls can need clearing several inches deep before new mortar goes in. If the wall needs cleaning after, acid cleaners can etch limestone and marble, so ask which cleaner a crew plans to use first.
Adhered or anchored, chosen for your wall
New stone veneer goes on one of two ways. Adhered stone is set in mortar against a prepared wall, and anchored stone is tied back to the structure with metal ties. The right one depends on how the wall behind it is built and supported, the load it carries and the stone you choose, and I'll explain the pick for your wall in those terms. If a stone wall has cracked because the footing underneath moved, that's a job for foundation repair before any new stone goes up.
A free on-site estimate for your stone work
Send photos, the wall's rough size, any washed-out joints and whether it holds back soil. We'll reply within one business day to set up a free on-site estimate, with no pressure to book.
(903) 525-6451How a stone job goes with us
You call, I come look
Call (903) 525-6451 or use the form, and we set up a visit. I look over the stone, the joints and where the water runs, then give you an estimate that spells out what needs doing now and what can wait.
Permit and scheduling
If you say yes, we sort out any permit with the City of Tyler. Once the papers are in correctly, the city prescreens them within up to two business days, and a home review then takes about five business days, starting over if staff send corrections.
Our crew does the work
Our crew works within the city's hours near homes, which rule out 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weekends. When we're done, I walk the finished job with you so you see every joint we touched.
Stone masonry questions from Tyler homeowners
How much does stone veneer cost to install in Tyler?
Installing stone veneer usually costs about $25 to $40 per square foot across the US. That's a national figure for veneer, not our price, and your wall's size, height, stone and attachment method push it up or down. The on-site estimate gives you the figure for your own wall.
Does a stone retaining wall in Tyler need a permit?
Yes. The city requires a permit for every retaining wall, and one over four feet tall needs plans sealed by an engineer, which you can check on the city's planning FAQ page. Fences don't need a permit, but a front-yard fence within the setback tops out at four feet and must be at least half open.
Which mortar is right for an old stone house?
On a historic stone house laid with lime mortar, repoint with a mix that's no harder or less porous than the original, not portland cement. Guidance for historic masonry from the National Park Service warns a harder mortar could make the stones take on moisture and fail, which is structural damage. Ask any mason which mortar they plan to use.
Why fix a leaking downspout before repointing a stone wall?
Because new mortar usually washes out the same way the old did if water keeps running over the joints. The same guidance says to replace a leaking downspout and fix other drainage problems first, so budget and schedule that repair as the opening step. We'll point out what's sending water at your wall during the visit.