Stone Foundations: What, Why, and How
Updated January 2025
There are endless articles about poured concrete and cinder block foundation walls, including the differences between them, the pros and cons of each, and the problems that befall these types of foundations. But when it comes to stone foundations, there's very little information out there beyond "They're interesting," "They're usually old," and "If one falls apart, you're doomed." So let's talk about them!
What are stone foundations?
Stone foundations were common pre-World War I, so you tend to see them in old farmhouses and newly minted historic districts. The foundation is obviously composed of stones, with mortar filled between them and spread over the top to bind them into the walls that make up the home's foundation.
Why do stone foundations crumble?
Stone foundation walls are prone to crumbling and failure due to the deterioration of the mortar between the stones.
Because of their composition and lack of uniformity, stone foundations are more likely to have problems when mortar crumbles due to water, bowing, or even just time. Crumbling is never good, but think about the structure of a stone foundation versus a block foundation; if the mortar between two blocks starts to decay, it's a problem. However, due to the uniformity of the blocks and the building structure, you have some time to fix it.
Crumbling mortar in a stone foundation is like pulling an apple out of the middle of a pile at the store — maybe the structure will stay intact, but you can't be sure. Plus, once that surface layer of mortar starts to go, the interior is more likely to keep crumbling apart until the wall fails at an exponential rate.
At the end of the day, you're also more likely to see wall failure in stone foundations simply because of the age of the structure, which is something you can't control. Mortar isn't a forever thing — it will degrade and crumble over time.
How can you fix stone foundations?
The situation isn't as hopeless as most home blogs would lead you to believe. Their only solution is repointing — replacing the mortar — and hoping for the best. Unfortunately, doing so puts the stone foundation at risk of the same problems occurring as moisture and time degrade the mortar again.
While stone foundations have some charm, so does a structurally sound foundation. That's why we recommend using Shotcrete to permanently repair stone foundations in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo, and nearby.
Shotcrete for Stone Foundation Repair
Our Shotcrete Wall Restoration System can restore the safety of your foundation walls with minimal disturbance to your home.
Shotcrete is a sprayed application of concrete. After a steel mesh framework is created, shotcrete is applied to the existing walls with a high-pressure hose. This foundation repair technique creates new concrete walls that bond to and replace the stone as the weight-bearing, stable foundation. You'll lose a few square feet of basement space due to the new walls, but it's better than watching the old walls cave in.
If your home has a stone foundation, or you're contemplating buying a home that has one, know that it's not a hopeless case. You just need the right company — and the right products — to fix it. In Michigan and Indiana, that’s Ayers Basement Systems.
Homeowners in Kalamazoo, Lansing, Grand Rapids, South Bend, La Porte, and the surrounding areas have trusted Ayers Basement Systems to strengthen and repair their foundation walls since 1981. As a Supportworks dealer, we have the products and expertise to repair all foundation types and problems.
Call 1-866-379-1669 or contact us online today to schedule your free inspection and estimate!
