Need Some Advice: My stoop is 'spalling' to pieces

@dorkofwindsor, if your stone is somewhat damaged then i think that would be a case where resurfacing is the only remedy, short of getting new slabs. But if they’re in danger of breaking in two and collapsing, then I would think that replacing them would be necessary. (Bluestone being readily available, be glad. From what I’ve read, the only remaining brownstone quarry closed up shop again a couple of years ago.) My complaint regarding my own stoop was that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the steps i.e. brownstone slabs. The issue was some crevices between them, letting in moisture. And the remedy was to eliminate 2-3 inches of the slabs and build up mortar. Parts of it haven’t held up real well after about the seventh year. Interesting about your solid stone support walls of the stoop. Maybe your house is older, or just had a developer that did things another way. Here in BedStuy, every stoop I’ve had the pleasure of looking under has the brick walls I described. And all build between early 1880s and 1895.

CommodoreStephenDecatur

in Facade and Brownstone Repair 10 years and 2 months ago

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john320 | 10 years and 2 months ago

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I recently did a full restoration to my front facade about two years ago in 1st street and i got bids from four contractors A. Malek, J. Mos, Amin Home Improvement and Edison. All four contractors price was about the same but, i decided to go with Amin Home Improvement because they did several projects on our block. Its a family owned company and Amin’s son who was handling the project did a outstanding job of making sure our job was being done to the very high standards of Amin Home Improvement. Amin was very quick to respond and takes great pride in the work being done by his company. To date, we are extremely pleased with the work on our house. The amount of compliments we get from people passing by is unbelievable. My expectations have been widely exceeded on our exterior brownstone restoration plus they been a around for a long time. We have whole heartedly already recommended Amin Home Improvement Inc. to lots of people.

dorkofwindsor | 10 years and 2 months ago

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CommodoreStephenDecatur – so if you do not like resurfacing, then what to do with steps that are damaged and crumbling? My neighbors and I all had original giant bluestone blocks as steps but have totally deteriorated. Some are missing massive chunks and quite dangerous. Are you saying to go out any buy massive slabs of stone and have them reset? I can’t imagine how much that would cost and also not everyone wants to pay for the next three owners’ stairs. If you don’t get at least 10 years out of a stoop resurface, you chose the wrong person. BTW, my stoop sides are not brick, they were thick stone as well. Crumbling, but stone nonetheless. My steps going down to the cellar however were of a brick base and should have been rebuilt – they are going to be the first to go i am certain.