Stone Cleaning, Efflorescence Removal, Masonry Repair & Water Repellent Sealing
Stone & Precast Restoration Specialists Nationwide
Stone facade restoration is the cleaning, repair, and sealing of a building’s exterior stone and masonry, including brick, block, precast concrete, cast stone, limestone, granite, sandstone, and marble, so it looks clean and uniform again and keeps water out. Without protection, exterior stone absorbs water. That water carries stains and efflorescence to the surface, feeds mold and mildew, breaks down the bond holding the masonry together during freeze-thaw cycles, and can reach and rust the structural steel behind it.
Presto Restoration has cleaned, repaired, and sealed stone on commercial buildings across the United States since 1998. Beyond cleaning and sealing, our craftsmen handle masonry repairs and waterproofing, so one contractor covers the whole stone facade. Stone restoration is part of our full commercial facade restoration program, alongside glass restoration and architectural metal restoration.
OUR STONE RESTORATION SERVICES
Unprotected stone collects vehicle exhaust, tree sap, oil, dust, and other pollution that darkens the facade and stains walkways. Chemical cleaning is the most cost-effective and efficient way to remove severe stains, combined with high or low water pressure depending on the stone. Presto technicians choose the right combination of pressure and cleaning chemistry for each stone type, so it gets clean without surface damage, and they follow safety-compliant methods that protect pedestrians and the rest of the property.
Green and black biological growth on stone and masonry is a sign the surface is staying wet. Mold, mildew, and algae cannot grow without moisture, so cleaning alone only buys time. Presto removes the growth with cleaners that are safe for the stone, then seals the surface against water penetration so the green and black stains do not come back.
Efflorescence is the white, chalky residue that appears when water inside the stone moves to the surface and evaporates, leaving salt deposits behind. Those minerals can leach down and stain the glass, metal, and other materials below. Presto removes efflorescence and leaching stains, and sealing the masonry afterward stops the cycle, protecting both the stone and the surfaces around it.
Water that soaks into stone and masonry starts breaking down the bond that holds it together. In winter the trapped water freezes and expands, cracking and separating the material and leading to costly repairs. Presto repairs cracks, spalls, and failed mortar with color-matched restoration materials, then applies a water repellent to keep moisture out of the wall going forward.
When water gets past the masonry and reaches the steel that supports the building, the steel rusts. Rust expands, cracks the surrounding stone or concrete, and bleeds orange stains down the facade. Left alone, it can become structural damage. Presto repairs the damaged masonry and stops the water that caused it, and recommends a structural engineer’s evaluation when the steel itself is affected.
A stone restoration is not complete until the stone is sealed. Presto applies invisible, breathable silicone and acrylic water repellents that close the stone’s pores, keeping out water, staining, erosion, and biological growth while still letting the stone breathe. Sealed stone rarely needs pressure washing, because dirt rinses away easily. Products such as our Leach Stop also stop precast and stone from leaching onto windows. Ask us about the warranty available for your building.
Our Stone Restoration Process
Presto runs every stone restoration project through the same five-phase process, built to identify each stone type and the source of every stain before work begins, protect glass, metal, and landscaping during cleaning, and hand over fully documented results at completion.
Building Envelope
Assessment
We inspect the full envelope from the ground, by drone, and at arm’s length via suspended access. Sealants, metals, glass, stone, coatings, and masonry are photographed and logged: every defect mapped before pricing.
Diagnostic Testing
Where leaks or concealed deterioration are suspected, we run controlled water spray tests, infrared thermography scans, and moisture readings to trace intrusion back to its true source instead of patching symptoms.
Scope & Planning
Findings become a line-item scope with quantities, specified products, and a phased schedule. Your project manager handles access logistics, occupant communication, and local permitting.
Restoration Execution
Certified rope-access and swing-stage crews perform the restoration to manufacturer specification, with field supervisors enforcing quality control and documenting progress daily.
Closeout & Warranty
At turnover you receive the complete record: warranty documents, product data sheets, before-and-after imagery, and a maintenance roadmap to protect the investment going forward.
Serving Commercial Buildings Nationwide
Presto Restoration is headquartered in Atlanta and restores commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings across the United States. Our crews travel to projects nationwide, and in many metro areas local teams support routine maintenance between major restorations.
Find stone restoration services in your city on our service areas page, or call 1-800-785-9927 to talk with a project manager about your building.
Why Property Managers Choose Presto for Stone Restoration
Since 1998, Presto Restoration has cleaned, repaired, and sealed stone on commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings nationwide. We work with masonry (brick, block, concrete, and precast), natural stone (limestone, granite, sandstone, and marble), and polished stone, and we match the cleaning method to each one. Explore our full range of exterior restoration services, including historic masonry preservation.
Schedule Your Free Stone Assessment
Not sure what is causing the stains or cracks on your stone facade? Request a complimentary, no-obligation assessment. Our specialists will identify the stone and the cause and map out your options.
Call 1-800-785-9927 or Request A Free Quote.
Recent Stone Restoration Projects
PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS
Presto crews clean, repair, and seal stone and precast facades on commercial buildings across the country. A few recent projects are featured below.
Stone Restoration FAQs
What is stone facade restoration?
Stone facade restoration cleans, repairs, and seals a building’s exterior stone and masonry, such as brick, precast concrete, limestone, granite, and marble. It removes stains, efflorescence, and biological growth, repairs cracks and spalls, and finishes with a breathable water repellent that keeps water out so the damage does not return.
What is efflorescence and how do you stop it?
Efflorescence is the white, chalky salt deposit left on stone or masonry when water inside the wall moves to the surface and evaporates. We remove it with cleaners suited to the stone, then seal the masonry so water cannot carry more salts to the surface. Sealing also keeps the minerals from leaching down onto glass and metal below.
Will cleaning damage my building’s stone?
Not when the method fits the stone. Soft stones and polished stones need different treatment than hard granite or concrete. Presto selects the right combination of cleaning chemistry and water pressure for each stone type, so the surface gets clean without etching, pitting, or losing its character.
Why should exterior stone be sealed?
Water causes nearly every problem stone has: stains, efflorescence, mold and mildew, freeze-thaw cracking, and rusting of the steel behind it. A clear, breathable water repellent keeps water out while letting the stone breathe, which protects the facade, reduces how often it needs cleaning, and gives the best return on a stone restoration.
How long does a stone sealer last?
Sealer life depends on the stone, how exposed it is, and whether the surface is vertical or horizontal, since horizontal surfaces usually need resealing sooner. Warranty terms vary by product and project, so ask us about the warranty available for your building. We also provide maintenance guidelines so the stone can be cleaned without harming the protective coating.
What types of stone does Presto restore?
We restore masonry such as brick, block, concrete, and precast; natural stone such as limestone, granite, sandstone, and marble; and polished stone. For historic buildings with lime mortar and soft stone, see our historic preservation services.
Other Building Restoration Services
Protect Your Stone Facade
Stained, cracked, or leaching stone gets worse every time water gets in. A free stone assessment from Presto Restoration shows what needs cleaning, repair, and sealing, and what it will cost.
Call us today at 1-800-785-9927 or click Request A Quote.