Genuinely historic Alsatian masonry
Castroville nineteenth-century limestone buildings need soft lime mortar rather than modern hard cement. Repointing incorrectly does more damage than leaving the joint alone.
Greater San Antonio · Medina County
Sweeping, inspections and masonry work across Castroville. We photograph every issue we uncover and share it with you prior to repair approval.
Why does Castroville housing need a closer look?
Castroville was founded in 1844, so many homes near the Medina River carry older chimneys. Ads near $99 usually leave the inspection as a separate cost added later. Our $299 price covers a standard single-flue cleaning and a full Level 1 inspection. Why $299, not $99 →
Castroville sits in Medina County on the Medina River, about 25 miles west of San Antonio. It was founded in 1844 by Henri Castro with settlers from the Alsace region on the French-German border, and it is known as the Little Alsace of Texas.
That founding is not decoration. Castroville retains a substantial number of nineteenth-century Alsatian buildings, many of them limestone, and the town has a designated historic district. This is genuinely old masonry of a kind that barely exists elsewhere in the metro.
Nineteenth-century limestone and brick was built with soft lime mortar. Repointing it with modern hard cement traps moisture and damages the stone, so on a historic Castroville property the material matters as much as the workmanship. Newer housing around the historic core needs an entirely different approach.
Castroville nineteenth-century limestone buildings need soft lime mortar rather than modern hard cement. Repointing incorrectly does more damage than leaving the joint alone.
The town sits on the Medina River. If floodwater has ever reached a firebox, the chimney should be inspected before use, because liner and damper damage is invisible from the room.
Chimneys built in the nineteenth century predate modern lining practice entirely. A camera inspection is the only way to know what is actually in the flue, and relining is required before fitting any modern appliance.
Residential building around the historic town uses conventional modern construction, including framed chases with metal covers. Completely different work from a limestone chimney.
Every item in the Lowes Chimney Sweep lineup serves Castroville. Historic masonry, liner and crown work carry the emphasis because of the age of much of the building stock.
Castroville sits west of San Antonio at the Hill Country edge, and fireplaces here get genuine winter use.
A cracked crown on historic masonry lets water straight into stone that has stood for well over a century. Cheap to repair, expensive to ignore.
On genuinely historic limestone, soft lime mortar needs matching rather than replacing with the hardest modern mix. This is the single most important thing to get right on a period Castroville property.
Nineteenth-century chimneys predate modern lining. A camera inspection is essential, and relining is required before fitting any modern insert or stove.
Castroville is in Medina County on the Medina River, about 25 miles west of San Antonio along US 90.
Yes, and it needs the correct approach. Nineteenth-century limestone was built with soft lime mortar, and repointing with modern hard cement traps moisture and damages the stone. We assess the existing material before recommending anything.
Quite possibly not. Chimneys built in the nineteenth century predate modern lining practice. A camera inspection is the only way to know, and relining is required before fitting any modern appliance.
It was founded in 1844 by Henri Castro with settlers from Alsace, and it retains a substantial number of original nineteenth-century buildings.
Completely. Newer Castroville housing uses conventional modern construction including framed chases with metal covers, where the failures are at the top rather than in masonry.
It has. If floodwater reached a firebox, the chimney should be inspected before use, because damage to a liner or damper is not visible from the room.
No. Covers go down over the floor and hearth, and dust-controlled vacuums run for the whole visit, historic homes included.
Yes. Castroville visits can be booked every day of the week from 8 AM to 8 PM.
East toward San Antonio, Helotes, Leon Valley and Castle Hills get the same $299 sweep and inspection as Castroville.
Official resources Castroville homeowners may find helpful:
Photograph the problem, explain the options plainly, give you the price before work starts, and let you decide. See our before and after gallery, read our customer reviews, or find out who we are.
"Very pleased with the professionalism and promptness of service. The chimney sweep was done quickly and efficiently at significantly less cost than the first quote I got from another company. Happy to recommend Lowes Chimney Sweep to anyone in Plano!"
"Outstanding chimney sweep service from start to finish. They were punctual, courteous, and left our chimney spotless with no mess in our home. I won't use anyone else for chimney services in Dallas TX!"
More reviews from homeowners across the metroplex are on our reviews section, or learn more about our team before you book.
Throughout Castroville, including the historic district and the Medina River area.
Same day service where the schedule allows, seven days a week.
Call (214) 225-8874