Stone & Brick Restoration
Preserving and restoring masonry — the craft McNamara Masonry was built on.
Stone and brick restoration is the foundation of McNamara Masonry Restoration — it's the craft that started the business over 36 years ago. From tuckpointing deteriorated mortar joints to replacing damaged brick and stone units, applying protective waterproof coatings, and preserving historic masonry facades, we bring decades of hands-on expertise to every restoration project.
Restoration Services
🧱 Tuckpointing & Repointing
Remove deteriorated mortar and repoint with new mortar custom-matched to your existing color and profile. Restores structural integrity and weatherproofing to brick and stone walls. Essential maintenance for masonry exposed to Philadelphia's freeze-thaw cycles.
🪨 Brick & Stone Replacement
Individual damaged, cracked, or spalled masonry units cut out and replaced with matching material. Dutchman repairs for isolated damage. Full section replacement when deterioration is widespread.
💧 Waterproof Coatings
Thorolastic and Sherlastic masonry coatings protect brick and stone from water penetration while remaining breathable. An excellent preventive measure for aging masonry or a finishing treatment after restoration work.
🏛️ Historic Masonry Preservation
Period-appropriate restoration for historic properties. Custom mortar matching, careful brick selection, and techniques that preserve the building's character while ensuring structural soundness for decades to come.
The McNamara Masonry Difference
Masonry restoration isn't just about filling joints with mortar. It requires understanding the interaction between mortar, masonry units, and moisture — and how Philadelphia's climate stresses these materials over decades.
Common mistakes we see from less experienced contractors:
- Wrong mortar hardness — mortar harder than the brick causes the brick to crack and spall
- Portland cement on historic buildings — too hard for soft historic brick, traps moisture
- Incomplete joint preparation — new mortar applied over deteriorated mortar, fails quickly
- No drainage consideration — repointing without addressing the water source
With 36+ years in the trade, we know these materials intimately. We choose the right mortar for your specific masonry, prepare joints properly (raking out to a minimum depth of ¾"), and consider the complete moisture picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stone restoration repairs and preserves existing natural stone or brick — tuckpointing, cleaning, crack repair, and replacing individual damaged units. Stone veneer installation is applying a new manufactured stone facade (like Quality Stone & Veneer Inc products) over a prepared substrate. Both require masonry expertise, and we do both.
Individual crumbling bricks can be cut out and replaced with matching brick — a process called dutchman repair. If widespread spalling is present, a more comprehensive restoration may be needed, potentially including waterproof coating with Thorolastic or Sherlastic to prevent further moisture damage.
Well-constructed brickwork typically needs repointing every 25–50 years depending on exposure, mortar type, and climate. In the Philadelphia region, freeze-thaw cycles accelerate mortar deterioration. If you see mortar receding more than ¼ inch behind the brick face, it's time to repoint.
Yes. Mortar color matching is essential for restoration work. We analyze your existing mortar and custom-mix replacement mortar to match the color, texture, and joint profile. On historic properties, this attention to detail preserves the building's character.
Yes. We apply Thorolastic and Sherlastic masonry coatings that block water penetration while remaining breathable — allowing moisture vapor to escape from inside the wall. This is especially valuable for older masonry that's beginning to absorb water but doesn't yet need full restoration.
Get Your Free Estimate
Tell us about your project and we'll provide a detailed assessment — no obligation.