The Problem
The current owners of a 1916 Indiana limestone classical estate in East Lake Forest, the third generation of the same family to live in the home, contacted us after noticing that the facade had deteriorated visibly in the five years since the last family inspection. The previous repointing, done by an unknown contractor at some point in the 1990s, had been performed with a Portland-heavy mortar that was now pulling away from the limestone face in irregular sections. Eleven stone panels showed surface spalling in the range of 1/4 to 1/2 inch depth. The north elevation had developed significant lichen and algae growth across the lower two courses. The classical column base moldings at the entry portico had lost mortar profile at their junctions with the plinth blocks, and the exposed stone at those joints showed surface erosion consistent with water sitting in open horizontal joints over many winters.
Our Solution
We began with a condition survey of the full facade, documenting spall locations, open joint measurements, biological growth extent, and the profile of the existing failed mortar. The Portland patch mortar from the 1990s work was removed mechanically using oscillating tools and hand chisels. Removing Portland mortar from soft Indiana limestone requires patience because the bond at the mortar-stone interface is often reversed: the mortar is harder than the stone, and aggressive removal tools shear the stone edge rather than releasing the mortar.
All 420 linear feet of repointing used NHL 2 mortar, proportioned with a light buff sand to match the warm cream tone of the original 1916 joints visible in protected areas beneath the entry portico. Joint width on the classical facade averages 1/2 inch with a flush-tooled profile, which we replicated precisely. The 11 spalled panels received consolidant treatment followed by lime-based repair mortar built in thin lifts and finished flush with the original stone plane.
North elevation biological growth was treated with a dilute biocidal solution held on the surface for the specified dwell time, then rinsed gently without pressure equipment. Two applications were required to clear the lichen fully.
The column base moldings were rebuilt at their junction points using a sculptable lime putty mortar tinted to the limestone color. Profile templates were cut from photographs of the intact sections and used to shape the repair to the original classical profile.
The Result
All 420 linear feet of joints are repointed and weathertight. The 11 spalled panels present a consistent face with no visible repair edges at normal viewing distance. The north elevation biological growth is fully cleared and a maintenance biocide was applied to slow recolonization. The column base moldings read as continuous with the original stone profile. We provided the owners with a written maintenance schedule, mortar formula documentation, and a photographic condition record intended to serve the family for the next generation of ownership.
