From the Forum: My Stoop Is Spalling to Pieces

Need Some Advice: My Stoop Is “Spalling” to Pieces

We have a three-stair brownstone stoop that was redone along with the building facade within the last 10 years (prior to our purchasing the building). The brownstone work is of pretty high quality and was complimented on by our inspector when we did our original walkthrough.

There were a couple of spots over the last year or two where the metal banister met the brownstone that the stone looked a little rough but nothing too concerning. All of a sudden after this winter the entire stoop is spalling and splitting apart in various places on various stairs — it’s literally getting markedly worse by the day.

Is there any way to alleviate this degradation short of redoing the whole stoop (this was not in our short term plans). We’re not looking for the perfect solution right now, just a way to ease the pain.

Incidentally, the building facade is still in tip top condition (for now) but I’ve obviously got concerns there too. Anyone have any general knowledge or advice to share on with me?

Arkady writes:

Several neighbors of mine have recently gotten their entire facades redone – including the stoops. All of them were told that the facade work would last at least 50 years but the stoops would need redoing to some degree w/in 10 years. A good mason can do some remedial work w/out having to do the entire stoop.

Commenter catbk says:

Just curious – is the inside of your stoop sealed or closed up? It’s possible there’s nowhere for moisture to go if it’s sealed up too tight. Ours is raw stone inside and a dirt floor. It’s damp in there, but moisture can drain.

From CommodoreStephenDecatur:

The problem is a widespread acceptance of a flawed concept in building repair. We had our stoop “refurbished” early on and have lived to regret it. This method of jackhammering away two to three inches of the solid, impermeable 300-million-year-old stone that the steps are hewn from, and replacing it with tinted mortar is just stupid. And the contractors who perpetuate this idiotic cycle of repair and repair and repair are laughing all the way to the bank. It’s a bad practice and should be discontinued.

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