Preserving South Australia’s Heritage

My Approach

Hi, I’m Robert Elphick, a family man and trade-qualified Adelaide stonemason with a trade certificate in stonemasonry and over 15 years of experience. I specialise in heritage stone and brick repointing, rectifying salt damp issues, and restoring front facades, chimneys, cellars, and walls, always using materials appropriate to the building’s period, such as lime mortar, and never modern cements, to preserve its story and significance.

As a father of two young daughters, I deeply understand the importance of preserving our heritage for future generations. I take great pride in delivering a personalised approach to every project, ensuring each one is tailored to meet the unique needs of the individual customer. I recognise that every heritage property is distinctive, and my commitment to its story and significance ensures every repair respects its original character.

My dedication to the craft goes beyond restoration. Whether it’s reviving weathered facades or meticulously repointing intricate stonework, I approach each project with the utmost reverence for the building’s history and significance.

Experience the difference that expertise and passion can make with Set in Stone Masonry. Let me breathe new life into your heritage property while preserving its authenticity for generations to come.

A man crouching on a sandy beach, holding two young children in his arms, with a woman and a girl in the background. The ocean is visible to the left, and the sky is mostly clear.
Close-up of a wall with three distinct layers of brick and stone, with black window frames and shutters.

Services

  • Repointing

    Specialising in repointing, we excel in the art of using traditional lime mortars. Whether it's Tuck pointing, Cut and Struck repointing, Fine line or Ribbon pointing, my expertise spans a spectrum of techniques, meticulously tailored to preserve and enhance the structural integrity and aesthetic allure of your property.

    Fineline Repointing to Sandstone and brick work with lime mortar at Dulwich, Adelaide, South Australia

  • Wall, Chimney and Cellar Restoration

    Whether it's falling damp deteriorating chimney brickwork or rising damp leading to salt efflorescence and decay, Set in Stone Masonry rectifies these issues, preserving your chimney and cellar for decades, ensuring their enduring integrity and charm.

    Adelaide Wall, Chimney and Cellar Restoration. Chimney restoration at Islington Railyards, Adelaide, South Australia

  • Salt Damp

    Our expertise includes addressing salt damp, providing comprehensive solutions to combat moisture damage and preserve property integrity. From thorough assessment to tailored treatment plans, we ensure your home remains resilient against salt damp, safeguarding its longevity and beauty.

    Salt Damp to bluestone at Burnside, Adelaide, South Australia

  • Stone and Brickwork

    We specialise in a comprehensive range of stonework services, crafting new stone builds and expertly repairing damaged stone. From walls, chimneys, and cellars to intricate detailing, we ensure structural integrity and timeless beauty, preserving your property's enduring charm.

    Adelaide Stonemason Robert laying Stone and Brick work at Blackwood, Adelaide, South Australia
Full list of Services

Servicing Adelaide's Heritage Suburbs

I'm based in North Adelaide and work across the suburbs where most of Adelaide's heritage homes are. That runs from Prospect and Walkerville through North Adelaide and the city, across the eastern suburbs of Norwood, St Peters, Kensington and Magill, and down to Unley, Parkside, Goodwood and Mitcham. From there I come back around through Mile End and up through Woodville to Port Adelaide.

These suburbs are full of bluestone, sandstone and red brick homes built with lime mortar, and they need someone who understands how they were put together. Whether it's salt damp in an Unley villa or repointing a cottage in Prospect, every job is done with traditional lime mortars and proper heritage methods.

Not sure if you're in my area? See the full list of suburbs on my Service Areas page.

  • Robert Elphick did a fantastic job on a large restoration on the bluestone facade of our symmetrical cottage (built1885) in the Unley Council Conservation Zone. We love the outcome and have had many visitors admiring his work. I am happy to recommend Robert Elphick as a talented craftsman, a good worker and a pleasant person to have on our property during the works.

    Elizabeth (Goodwood)

  • Robert restored the stone work on our property that is dated 1874, which included replacing broken and missing stone. The quality of Robert’s work is outstanding and far exceeded our expectations. Halfway through the job, we uncovered an unexpected door that had been badly covered up. Robert was able to blend it into the existing stone work and was not phased by the issue. Robert was reliable, tidy on site, and easy to work with.

    The Murphy’s (Blackwood)

  • Rob is a five-star stonemason with superb customer service, professionalism and standards. His responsive, attention to detail and the cleanliness of the work area throughout the job was outstanding. The final outcome is a pleasure to look at, especially the re-pointing of the entire western wall of our heritage home.

    Hero (Norwood)

  • Chimney Restoration Islington Railyards in Adelaide, South Australia
  • Tuckpointing
  • Close-up of a beige brick wall with some black decorative tiles at the bottom and a small section of a black fixture or vent near the top left corner.
  • Close-up photo of a building's exterior wall featuring various types of bricks and stonework, including beige stone blocks, red bricks, and black bricks with orange and brown highlights, along with two windows with black frames and shutters.
  • Close-up view of a red brick arch over a multi-pane window, with sunlight casting shadows on the bricks.
  • View from a rooftop showing a red brick chimney with a blue cap, solar panels along the roof edge, and a suburban neighborhood with trees and houses in the background under a clear blue sky.
  • A brick and stone building with arched windows, a sign with a red H, potted plants, an iron bench, and some metal barrels in front.
  • Close-up of a beige brick wall with textured surface and mortar joints.
  • Close-up of a building exterior showing a brick wall on top of a stone veneer foundation, with a window on the left and two small orange vents installed in the stone section. The sidewalk is visible at the bottom.
  • Exterior of a house with a beige stone facade, a black door, and a small window with horizontal blinds. There is a brick ledge beneath the window and a concrete porch in the foreground.

Contact Robert today for an on site consultation and free quote.

Book now

Frequently asked questions

  • Repointing is the process of renewing the external part of mortar joints in masonry construction. Over time, mortar can deteriorate due to weathering and age, leading to cracks and gaps. Repointing involves removing deteriorated mortar and replacing it with fresh mortar, enhancing the structural integrity and appearance of the masonry.

  • Lime mortar is a traditional building material made from limestone, water, and sand. Liime mortar cures through a slow process of carbonation, allowing it to flex and accommodate movement in historic buildings without causing damage. This flexibility, along with its ability to allow moisture to evaporate, makes lime mortar ideal for historic structures, as it helps to prevent damage from trapped moisture and preserves the integrity of the building fabric over time.

  • Using cement as a building material can lead to significant issues, primarily due to its impermeability. Cement traps moisture within walls, creating an environment conducive to mold growth and structural decay. Additionally, trapped moisture can cause salt buildup, resulting in a phenomenon known as salt attack, which further exacerbates deterioration. As a result, avoiding the use of cement can help prevent these detrimental effects and maintain the long-term integrity of buildings.

  • Salt damp, also known as rising damp or moisture ingress, occurs when groundwater rises through porous building materials such as brick, stone, or mortar. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind soluble salts, including nitrates and chlorides, which accumulate on the surface. Over time, these salts absorb moisture from the air, leading to further dampness and deterioration of the building fabric. Factors such as inadequate damp-proofing, damaged or missing flashing, poor ventilation, and the use of impermeable materials like cement can exacerbate salt damp issues.

  • Typically any house built before the early 1900s will be of heritage value to the state of South Australia whether it is currently listed or not and should be preserved. The SA Heritage Places Database is a searchable database of all currently listed State and Local heritage listed places. Set in Stone Masonry works on all types and ages of stone and old red brick buildings including new builds, walls and paving.

More FAQs

Blog

  • Adelaide Stonemason Robert repointing with Lime Mortar on Heritage Sandstone Wall at Blackwood, Adelaide, South Australia

    The Art of Repointing

    Repointing is the process of renewing the mortar joints between bricks, stones, or other masonry units. Over time, mortar can deteriorate due to exposure to the elements, leading to cracks, erosion, and weakening of the structure. Repointing addresses these issues by removing damaged mortar and replacing it with fresh mortar, rejuvenating the masonry's strength and appearance.

    More on The Art of Repointing
  • Salt Damp to Bluestone wall at Burnside, Adelaide, South Australia

    Salt Damp and How to Fix It

    I've faced a formidable challenge that silently corrodes the splendor of historic stone houses: salt damage, otherwise known as salt damp. These architectural wonders, soaked in history, endure a continuous assault from soluble salts that infiltrate the stone and surrounding mortar. Rising damp from groundwater and falling damp from rainwater introduce these salts, leaving behind crystalline residues as moisture evaporates.

    More on Salt Damp
  • Cement based mortar causing salt damp issues on sandstone wall at Blackwood, Adelaide, South Australia

    The Pitfalls of Cement-Based Mortars in Stone Buildings

    I've faced a formidable challenge that silently corrodes the splendor of historic stone houses: salt damage, otherwise known as salt damp. These architectural wonders, soaked in history, endure a continuous assault from soluble salts that infiltrate the stone and surrounding mortar. Rising damp from groundwater and falling damp from rainwater introduce these salts, leaving behind crystalline residues as moisture evaporates.

    More on The Pitfalls of Cement
  • chimney restoration at Islington Railyards, Adelaide, South Australia

    Crumbling Chimneys

    Chimneys, with their timeless charm and practicality, have been a fixture in homes for centuries. However, the passage of time and exposure to the elements can take a toll on these essential structures, leading to deterioration. In this blog post, we'll explore the ins and outs of chimney deterioration, uncover its root causes, and delve into effective methods for remediation and preservation.

    More on Crumbling Chimneys

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🌟 Now Hiring! 🌟 I’m looking for individuals to join my growing business, specialising in repointing, salt damp treatment, and stone and brick restorations across the Adelaide Metro area. With plenty of ongoing work, if you have a passion for
🌟 Now Hiring! 🌟 I’m looking for individuals to join my growing business, specialising in repointing, salt damp treatment, and stone and brick restorations across the Adelaide Metro area. With plenty of ongoing work, if you have a passion for
🌟 Now Hiring! 🌟 I’m looking for individuals to join my growing business, specialising in repointing, salt damp treatment, and stone and brick restorations across the Adelaide Metro area. With plenty of ongoing work, if you have a passion for