Stonework Maintenance at Skylands

September 4, 2024

Up at Skylands, my home in Maine, summer is also a good time to take care of important outdoor maintenance work.

I'm not at Skylands as much as I would like, so whenever I am there I try to schedule big projects, including the repair work to any stone walkways, steps, and walls that have shifted or moved over time. This year, I asked my longtime stone masons from Luppino Landscaping and Masonry in Mount Kisco, New York, if they would travel to Maine to evaluate the stonework and make any necessary repairs. Thankfully, they said yes, and for the last couple of weeks, they leveled pavers and repointed any deteriorated masonry joints all around the giant structure. Doing this not only restores the integrity of the stone, but also prevents water damage and erosion, and improves the overall appearance of Skylands' stately exterior.

Here are some photos, enjoy.

: Skylands was originally built in 1925 by architect Duncan Candler. The home as well as all the carriage roads leading to it are made from local pink granite – a very distinctive color caused by the high potassium feldspar content. Since I purchased the property in 1997, I’ve worked very hard to care for the structure and maintain its historical beauty.

: This year, I decided it was due time to give some of the stonework some attention, especially the many walls that surround the great “cracked ice” terrace.

: I wanted all the joints to be checked and repointed where necessary. This means replacing the mortar joints between the stones in the walls.

: From afar, one can see the spaces where the mortar has deteriorated.

: Here’s a closer look. There’s no set schedule for repointing stone, but one should consider maintenance work if the mortar is crumbling or falling out. My walls definitely needed some repair.

: Here is another area showing voids in the joints.

: I’ve worked with Luppino Landscaping and Masonry for years. In fact, Carmine Luppino and his team, did all the stonework at my Bedford farm.

: Alfonso evaluates the joints and decides where he needs to make repairs. Any loose mortar and debris are removed. This is an important step because if any deteriorating mortar is left, the new mortar may not bond properly.

: Here’s my French Bulldog puppy Luna Moona watching all the activity.

: Chow Chow Emperor Han is also curious.

: Here, Alfonso carefully mixes the new mortar. The right mortar mix is crucial for a long-lasting, sturdy structure.

: The new mortar is carefully put into the joint cavities of the stone wall and leveled.

: Alfonso uses a pointer trowel to properly compact and shape the mortar. Alfonso has been a mason for many years and is extremely knowledgeable and skilled at repointing all kinds of stone and brick work.

: This concave jointer tool makes the mortar consistent through the joint and helps to ensure a watertight seal.

: Here are some of the areas that are now completely repaired. The joints are filled and match all the other joints perfectly.

: Repointing generally takes up to 48-hours to reach about 60-percent of its final strength, but in a week’s time, all the walls will be set and secure.

: Regular repointing is the best way to keep a structure strong. This is important especially in Maine, where extreme cold can accelerate wear and tear on the exterior.

: After working on the walls, the team moves on to check the pavers. They checked all the footpaths and adjusted any stone that may have shifted over time because of inclement weather and growing roots underneath.

: Old stone dust and debris are removed, the area is re-leveled and the paver is repositioned, dropped carefully in place on new stone dust, and checked for level again. If it is not perfectly level, it is removed and stone dust is added or taken away as needed. It is a trial and error process that takes lots of patience. All neighboring pavers are also checked.