Masonry restoration
Foundation restoration in Hamilton
Restore. Repair. Protect.
Older homes in Hamilton often have foundations and masonry that are ageing, patched or quietly deteriorating. Novastone restores them carefully, so the work lasts rather than just looks tidy.
What this involves
Restoration is different from a quick repair. It starts by understanding what the wall is made of, what has been done to it before and why it is failing. Older brick, block and stone are often damaged by modern cement mortar and patching that traps moisture, so the fix is not always the obvious one.
Our restoration work covers the foundation wall and the masonry that sits on it or around it: stepped entries, porch bases, window wells, below-grade brick and block, and the mortar that holds it all together. The goal is a wall that is sound, protected from water and able to be maintained.
If your property is older, has been repaired before, or you can see masonry breaking down at the base of the house, this is the right page to start from. For active cracking or water entry, see our foundation repair page.
Below the surface
What’s happening
below your home?
- 01Above ground
A home rests on what you cannot see
The weight of the house is carried by a foundation most owners rarely look at.
- 02Below ground
The foundation, revealed
Footings, foundation walls and the slab, built from concrete, block, brick or stone depending on the age of the home.
- 03Cracking & water
Where trouble can start
Cracks and water entry are among the most common signs. Many are minor; some are worth a closer look.
- 04Deterioration & movement
When it goes further
Crumbling masonry and signs of movement are more reason to have the wall assessed rather than ignored.
- 05Assess
Work out what is really happening
We look at the wall, the grade and the water path, and explain the realistic options.
Send photos for a quote - 06Repair
Repair the cause and the damage
Cracks, masonry and mortar repaired, with sealing and drainage details addressed where they apply.
- 07Restore
Finished, protected and maintainable
The wall is restored to a sound condition and left tidy, ready to be looked after.
Illustration only. It shows common problems in general terms and is not engineering advice.
What ageing masonry can look like
Visible deterioration is often the end of a longer story involving water and earlier repairs. Restoration deals with both the damage and the reason for it.
Scope of work
- 01
Deteriorated foundation repair
Repairing damaged areas of the foundation wall once the cause has been identified.
- 02
Masonry restoration
Like-for-like repair of older brick, block and stone, with materials matched where possible.
- 03
Brick and block repairs
Replacing spalled, cracked or missing units and bonding them in properly.
- 04
Mortar repairs
Raking out failed joints and repointing with a mortar suited to the age and softness of the wall.
- 05
Damaged areas
Dealing with localized damage at steps, corners, wall bases and openings.
- 06
Restoration of ageing masonry
Stabilising and restoring masonry that has been weathering for decades.
- 07
Appropriate water-related repair work
Sealing and drainage details that stop the same damage coming back.
When to call us
Typical reasons to call: crumbling mortar at the base of the house, previous patch repairs that have failed, flaking brick or block below grade, or an older property you want to protect before the next winter.
How we approach it
- 01Survey the walls and record what is original, what has been altered and what has failed.
- 02Agree materials and mortar before any raking out begins.
- 03Repair and restore in stages, protecting what is being kept.
- 04Leave the work finished, clean and ready to maintain.
Related projects
All projectsNovastone work
Masonry restoration work in progress
A chimney stack taken down on a metal roof: the same careful, course-by-course approach used on older masonry elsewhere.
Foundation restoration: common questions
What is the difference between repair and restoration?
Repair fixes a defect. Restoration looks at the whole wall: materials, mortar, previous repairs and water, and brings it back to a sound, maintainable condition.
Can old brick or stone be saved?
Often, yes. Many older walls are repairable if the cause of the damage is dealt with and a compatible mortar is used. Where units have failed, we replace them with the closest match available.
Do you restore chimneys too?
Yes. Masonry is masonry, and we regularly dismantle and rebuild chimney stacks. See our projects for examples.
Free quote
Noticed foundation damage?
Tell us about the masonry or foundation you are concerned about and send photos if you can.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 (289) 698-4197