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Rochester Foundation Repair Co

Serving Rochester and nearby areas

Crumbling Stone Foundation in Rochester, NY

A crumbling stone foundation in an older Rochester home usually means worn mortar, not a failing house, and a free inspection shows what needs repointing and what can wait.

Call now: (585) 449-9661 or book your free inspection online

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Tell us what you are seeing. A local specialist calls you back the same business day.

Local to Rochester

We connect property owners in Rochester and nearby areas, including Corn Hill, South Wedge, Park Avenue, 19th Ward, Greece and Irondequoit, with one independent local foundation repair specialist.

  • Half the city is pre-1940

    More than half of the homes in the City of Rochester were built in 1939 or earlier. Many of them stand on stone or early masonry walls.

  • Even more in the 19th Ward

    About 7 in 10 homes in the 19th Ward were built in 1939 or earlier. Those walls have taken more than 80 winters of frost and thaw.

  • Soft mortar on purpose

    The National Park Service says new mortar for old masonry should be softer than the stone or brick around it. Hard cement mortar can make old masonry crack and flake.

What it costs

Typical published ranges for Rochester. The contractor's written estimate is the price, and the inspection is free.

WorkTypical range
Inspection and written estimate Free
Repointing mortar joints $3 to $15per sq ft of wall
Typical tuckpointing project $1,500 to $2,500
Gutters and downspout extensions $3 to $30per linear foot
Inside drain along the walls $40 to $120per linear foot

See typical foundation repair prices in Rochester

What a crumbling stone foundation looks like

Stone foundations are walls of fieldstone or cut stone held together with mortar. In an old Rochester home, you may see one or more of these.

Sand on the floor

A little ridge of sand along the base of the wall that keeps coming back.

Soft joints

Mortar that you can scrape out with a key or your finger.

Gaps between stones

Deep holes where the mortar is gone.

Loose stones

A stone that wiggles or has fallen out.

Damp patches

Dark, wet spots that follow the joints after rain.

White crust

Salt left behind as water moves through the wall and dries.

Cold drafts

Air coming through the wall in winter.

A bulge

A section of stones that leans in. This one is more serious.

Why stone walls wear out here

Age. More than half of the homes in the City of Rochester were built in 1939 or earlier. In the 19th Ward it is about 7 in 10. Walls that old were often built with soft lime mortar. That mortar was meant to wear slowly and be replaced over time.

Water. Lime mortar does not like water moving through it. Every spring the soil around Rochester is wet with snowmelt and rain. Water soaks into the joints, then dries out on the basement side. Each time, it carries a little mortar with it.

Frost and thaw. The National Weather Service says winters here bring frequent thaws and rain. Water in the joints freezes, grows and loosens the mortar. Over 80 or 100 winters, that adds up.

The wrong patch. Many stone walls were patched with hard cement over the years. The National Park Service says new mortar should be softer than the masonry. Hard patches can push the wear onto the stones and the joints next to them.

When it is minor and when it is urgent

Worth watching:

  • A light dust of sand along the wall.
  • Shallow wear on the face of the joints.
  • Damp spots only after the biggest storms.

Call soon:

  • Joints that are hollow an inch or more deep.
  • Sand piles that come back every month.
  • Water running through the joints when it rains.
  • Stones that move when you push them.

Call right away:

  • A section of wall that bulges or leans in.
  • Stones that have fallen out near a post or beam.
  • New cracks upstairs at the same time as wall changes.

How stone foundations usually get fixed

Most stone walls do not need to be replaced. They need care.

Repointing

The crew cleans out loose mortar, often about two inches deep, and packs in new mortar. The mix should be softer than the stone.

Resetting loose stones

Stones that have moved are taken out and set back in fresh mortar.

Water control outside

Longer downspouts and soil that slopes away keep water off the wall.

Inside drain

If water still comes in at the base, a drain and sump pump can carry it out.

Bracing or rebuild

A section that bulges may need to be braced or rebuilt in place.

Be careful with coatings. Fine Homebuilding notes that sealing a masonry wall can trap moisture inside it. Old stone walls need to dry out.

What it typically costs

These are typical national ranges from published cost guides, not a quote. The price depends on how much of the wall needs work and how deep the joints are worn. The cost guide has more.

What to do before the inspection

  1. Sweep the floor. Then check in a week to see how much sand comes back, and where.
  2. Test the joints. Note any spots where you can push a key in more than an inch.
  3. Take photos after rain. Wet joints show where water gets in.
  4. Do not seal it yet. Hold off on paint or coatings until the wall has been looked at.
  5. Clear space. Move shelves and boxes off the wall so the crew can see the stone.

Frequently asked questions

Is a stone foundation bad?

No. Many stone foundations have stood for more than 100 years. They do need care. The mortar wears out long before the stone does, so most of the upkeep is mortar and water control.

Why is there sand on the floor by my stone wall?

Old lime mortar slowly turns to sand when water moves through it. Some dust is normal in an old basement. A pile that keeps coming back, or joints you can poke a finger into, means it is time to repoint.

Can I just coat the stone wall with cement?

It is not a good idea. A hard, sealed coat can trap water in the wall so it cannot dry. The water then finds a new way out, often by pushing the coat off or wearing out the mortar faster.

What mortar should be used on an old stone foundation?

The National Park Service says repointing mortar should be softer than the masonry and match the old mortar as closely as possible. That often means a lime-rich mix, not straight cement. Ask what mix the crew plans to use.

Will repointing stop my basement from leaking?

It helps a lot with water coming through the joints. If the ground outside stays soaked, water can still come in at the base of the wall. Downspouts, grading and sometimes an inside drain finish the job.

Do I need a permit to repoint my foundation?

Work inside the basement and work outside follow different rules. If your home is in a City of Rochester preservation district, the city says owners need approval for exterior changes, called a Certificate of Appropriateness. In the towns, ask the town building department. Your contractor should check before work starts.

Is your stone foundation turning to sand?

Call (585) 449-9661 or send the short form with a photo of the wall. A local crew will call back to set up a free inspection and a written price.

Other services

Common foundation repair problems in Rochester

Areas we serve around Rochester

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