Stone Foundation Preservation & Repair

Leawood-based, serving the Kansas City metro since 2011 · BBB accredited since 2013, A+ rating · Free 30-minute property visit · Detailed estimate emailed within 7 days

Many of Kansas City's older homes sit on stone or limestone foundations laid in lime mortar. The stone lasts; the mortar is the part that wears out first. As joints wash out, water finds its way in and stones can loosen. Alliance Restoration repoints stone foundations with compatible mortar, resets loose stones, and applies breathable lime plaster inside and out, so the wall can dry instead of trapping moisture. For the full background, see our Stone Foundation guide.

What's included

• Assessment of the foundation's mortar joints, stone condition and signs of water entry

• Removal of deteriorated mortar and repointing with a matched, compatible mortar, traditional lime or modern as the wall requires

• Resetting loose stones

• Lime plastering and rendering on stone foundation walls, inside and outside

• Advice on grading and drainage, which should be addressed first

• If a wall is bowing or moving, we'll refer you to a structural engineer before any masonry work

Why it matters

Moisture is the main threat to a stone foundation. Water moving through open joints slowly breaks down the mortar, loosens stones and can damage the stone itself. Repointing open joints with a compatible, breathable mortar keeps water out of the wall while still letting it dry, and catching washed-out joints early keeps the repair smaller.

Kansas City neighborhoods where stone foundations are common

Stone foundations were used widely around Kansas City until about 1940. We see them most in older neighborhoods such as:

• Brookside, Waldo and the Historic Northeast, largely built from the 1900s to the 1940s on stone and limestone foundations

• Hyde Park and Midtown, including Squier Park, where limestone is a nearly universal foundation material in homes built 1880–1935

• Hanover Heights in Kansas City, Kansas, built around 1912–1930, where the historic register nomination lists limestone among the foundation materials

• Other older blocks near downtown on both sides of the state line, such as Strawberry Hill (KCK) and Quality Hill (KCMO)

How it works

1. Book a visit. Pick a time at our Book Online page or call 913-742-1516.

2. We look at it together. About 30 minutes at your property.

3. You get a detailed estimate. Emailed within 7 days.

4. We schedule the work. We work around the weather to keep your project moving.

Service area

We work within 30 driving miles of downtown Kansas City, MO, on both sides of the state line. That includes Kansas City MO and KS, Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Overland Park, Leawood, Prairie Village, Mission Hills, Mission, Merriam, Shawnee, Lenexa, Olathe, Lee's Summit, Independence, Gladstone, Liberty, Parkville, Bonner Springs and Leavenworth.

FAQ

What are signs my stone foundation needs repointing?

Mortar you can scrape out, open or recessed joints, sand or mortar dust at the base of the wall, damp patches, or white powdery deposits (efflorescence).

Why lime mortar and lime plaster?

Older stone foundations were laid in lime mortar. Lime-based materials stay breathable, so moisture can evaporate instead of being trapped against the stone.

Do you plaster inside the basement or outside?

Both. We apply lime plaster on the interior and exterior of stone foundation walls.

Can you fix loose stones?

Yes. We reset loose stones as part of the repair.

What if my wall is bowing or moving?

We'll refer you to a structural engineer first. Masonry repair on a wall that is still moving won't last.

Is the visit free?

Yes. A free 30-minute visit at your property, with a detailed estimate emailed within 7 days. Project minimum $1,500.

Related pages

• Stone Foundation guide

• Lime Plaster and Mortar

• Repointing & Mortar Guide

• Tuckpointing & Repointing

• Restoration vs Preservation

• Retaining Wall Repairs

Schedule a free foundation visit

Free 30-minute visit at your property. Detailed estimate emailed within 7 days. Project minimum $1,500.