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Chimney Repair & Rebuilding
Maine winters are hard on chimneys. Whether you have crumbling mortar, a cracked flue, or a chimney that's pulling away from the house, we diagnose and fix the problem right. We restore both function and appearance so your fireplace is safe and beautiful.
Chimney deterioration is one of the most common masonry problems in New England, where freeze-thaw cycles break down mortar joints year after year. Hanlon Stone performs full chimney inspections, tuckpointing, crown repairs, flashing replacement, and complete chimney rebuilds when necessary. We work on all chimney types — brick, stone, and block — and our repairs meet current safety codes. Whether you're preparing for the heating season or getting your home ready to sell, we'll give you an honest assessment and a quality repair that lasts.
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Stone & Brick Patios
Transform your backyard with a custom patio built from natural stone or brick that complements your home and stands up to Maine's climate. We handle everything from design consultation through final installation, delivering an outdoor living space you'll enjoy for decades.
A well-built patio starts with proper excavation, grading, and base preparation — shortcuts here are what cause settling and cracking after a few winters. Hanlon Stone uses time-tested installation methods along with quality materials including bluestone, granite, fieldstone, and brick pavers. We offer a range of patterns and edging styles to match your home's character, whether you're in a classic Victorian neighborhood or a modern coastal build. Fire pit surrounds, built-in seating walls, and steps can all be incorporated into your patio design.
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Retaining Walls
A failing retaining wall isn't just an eyesore — it's a structural and safety problem. We build and rebuild retaining walls using natural stone, block, or brick that hold back soil reliably and look great doing it. Proper drainage and engineering are built into every wall we construct.
Retaining walls need to do a serious job: hold back tons of soil while managing water drainage and resisting frost heave. Hanlon Stone designs walls with the correct footing depth, batter, and drainage aggregate to ensure long-term stability. We work with dry-laid fieldstone for a natural New England look, mortared stone or brick for a more formal appearance, and segmental block for modern landscapes. Whether you're terracing a sloped yard, protecting a driveway, or shoring up a garden bed, we build walls that stay put.
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Walkways & Steps
First impressions start at the front walk. We design and install stone and brick walkways and entry steps that add curb appeal and safe footing year-round. From bluestone flagging to reclaimed brick, we match materials to your home's style and your budget.
A beautiful walkway needs to be as functional as it is attractive, especially in Maine where ice and snowmelt are a reality. Hanlon Stone sets walkways with a proper base and slope for drainage, using materials that resist cracking under freeze-thaw conditions. We work with flagstone, granite cobble, brick, and fieldstone, and we can integrate landscape lighting, edging, and planting pockets into the design. Entry steps are built with generous tread depth and correct rise for comfortable, safe use in all seasons.
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Fireplace Construction & Restoration
Whether you're building a new wood-burning fireplace or restoring the original hearth in a historic Portland home, Hanlon Stone has the masonry expertise to do it beautifully and safely. We construct fireplaces that draw properly, meet code, and become the centerpiece of any room.
A masonry fireplace is one of the most valued features a home can have, and building or restoring one requires skill in both structural masonry and fine finish work. Hanlon Stone handles interior and exterior fireplace construction, including firebox lining, smoke chamber parge coating, hearth extension, and decorative surround work in brick, stone, or tile. For restoration projects, we carefully match historic brick and mortar profiles to preserve the character of older Portland homes. Outdoor fireplace and pizza oven construction is also a popular request — ask us about custom outdoor kitchen masonry.
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Foundation Pointing & Repair
A cracked or deteriorating foundation is something you can't ignore. We repair and repoint stone and brick foundations to stop water infiltration, restore structural integrity, and protect your home's value. We work on historic rubble foundations and modern block foundations alike.
Many older Portland homes sit on fieldstone or brick foundations that lose their mortar over time, allowing water to seep into basements and compromising the wall's strength. Hanlon Stone carefully removes deteriorated mortar and replaces it with an appropriate lime-based or Portland cement mortar matched to the original mix — using the wrong mortar on historic foundations can cause serious long-term damage. We also repair cracked block foundations, address spalling brick, and install parging to protect exposed foundation surfaces. Getting foundation work done early prevents far more expensive structural problems down the road.