How to Repair Stone Walls
Stone walls can last for generations — but even the strongest need a little maintenance from time to time. Cracks, loose stones, or worn mortar can all weaken a wall if left unchecked. Fortunately, most repairs can restore strength and character without starting from scratch. Below, we’ll cover how to fix common problems, what repointing involves, and which materials work best for Cornish stonework.
How to Repair a Broken Stone Wall?
The repair method depends on whether the wall is dry-built (no mortar) or mortared.
For a dry stone wall:
1. Clear the damaged area — remove any loose stones around the break.
2. Rebuild from the base up — use the same technique as a new wall: largest stones at the bottom, overlapping joints as you go.
3. Pack smaller stones (hearting) into gaps for stability.
4. Replace coping stones on top once solid.
For a mortared wall:
1. Remove loose or cracked mortar using a hammer and chisel.
2. Clean out debris and dust so new mortar bonds properly.
3. Mix new mortar — in Cornwall, lime mortar is ideal as it’s breathable and suits local stone.
4. Re-bed or replace loose stones, applying mortar evenly between joints.
5. Point and smooth once the mortar begins to set.
Even a small repair can make a big difference to stability and appearance, especially on older walls.
What Is the Best Product to Repair Stone Walls?
For most Cornish stonework, the best product is lime mortar. Unlike cement, lime allows moisture to escape naturally, helping prevent cracking and frost damage. It also blends beautifully with local granite and slate.
If the wall was originally built with cement mortar, you can use a pre-mixed repair mortar for small patches — but avoid applying cement over lime-based stonework, as it can cause the wall to deteriorate faster.
For cosmetic repairs or small chips, natural hydraulic lime mixes or stone repair mortars (such as Lithomex) can be colour-matched to your existing stone.
Stone Walls Cornwall
At Woodland Stonework, we specialise in stone wall repair, lime pointing, and restoration throughout Cornwall. Whether it’s a crumbling garden wall, a damaged Cornish hedge, or an old lime-mortared boundary, we can restore it using traditional methods and locally sourced stone.
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If you need expert help repairing a stone wall in Cornwall, get in touch today for a free quote and friendly advice.