Stonework Maintenance

August 8, 2024

Are you getting all your outdoor home projects done this summer? Here at my farm, one of this year's big tasks includes maintenance work on all the stone walkways, steps, and walls that have shifted or moved over the years.

Over the last couple of weeks, the crew from Luppino Landscaping and Masonry in Mount Kisco, New York, has been evaluating all the stonework and making any necessary repairs. They have re-leveled pavers, realigned stone paths, and repointed any deteriorated masonry joints on my greenhouse, my stable, and along any building steps. Regular upkeep like this not only restores the physical integrity of the stone, but also helps to increase the longevity of the structure.

Here are some photos, enjoy.

: Bluestone pavers are a type of natural stone often used in outdoor design applications. They are made from basalt, an igneous rock, and are composed of quartz and sand.

: Some of the work being done is on the bluestone pavers in this footpath. These pavers shifted over time because of inclement weather and growing tree roots underneath.

: Oscar uses a tuck pointer, or joint filler, to scrape out old stone dust and debris from the joints. This loosens the paver, so it could be removed.

: Here is the same area after all the old material was scraped out.

: Oscar then brushes all the debris out of the way. There’s no set schedule for repointing pavers, but one should consider maintenance work if pavers are cracked, mortar or stone dust is crumbling, or if weeds begin growing between the slabs.

: Once lifted, it is easy to see what is needed to make it level again. A lot of the stone dust underneath the paver clumped on one side making it difficult for the paver to sit flat on the ground. There are also weeds growing in the joint cracks.

: The area is cleaned of debris and clumps of old stone dust.

: Stone dust is actually the finest type of crushed stone. It is crushed nearly into a powder. It forms a strong, non-porous surface, so it not only protects the areas from moisture, but it also helps to keep most weeds and grass from growing in between the stone pavers.

: Using a trowel, the area is leveled with a one-inch fresh layer of stone dust.

: The paver is repositioned, dropped carefully in place, and checked for level. If it is not perfectly level, it is removed again and stone dust is added or removed as needed. It is a trial and error process that takes lots of patience. These three-inch thick bluestone pavers can be very heavy. Large pieces could easily exceed 100-pounds each.

: Here, a crowbar is used to help lower the paver and save the stonemason’s fingers from getting pinched.

: The crew checks the level on the paver again – this time it is just right.

: Here, the same crowbar is used to make minor adjustments to ensure spacing between the pavers is even.

: Any repositioned pavers are tamped down with a mallet on a piece of scrap wood, so the stone is not damaged. This packs the stone dust down and sets the paver comfortably and securely in place.

: New stone dust is applied to the joints where it was removed.

: And any excess is swept away into another joint until all the voids are filled.

: All neighboring pavers are also checked. Here is where an adjacent paver was also removed. Alfonso adds a fresh layer of stone dust, so this slab is at the same height as the others. If pointing is done correctly, it should last about 10 years before needing major repairs.