06/11/2026
Not all stone is created equal.
As part of our ongoing pond renovation project in Ann Arbor, we've reached an important decision with the homeowner: the deteriorating sandstone boulders need to be removed.
Check out this video and you'll see exactly why. These massive boulders, which once looked beautiful, are now literally breaking down in our hands. Years of water exposure combined with Michigan's freeze-thaw cycles have caused the stone to weaken, fracture, and slowly "melt" away.
This is one of the reasons we are very careful about the types of stone we recommend for water features. While sandstone can be attractive when first installed, certain varieties simply do not hold up well under constant water exposure and harsh Midwest winters.
Sometimes the biggest part of a renovation isn't fixing the symptom—it's understanding why the problem developed in the first place.
The good news is that we're not stopping there. The homeowner has also contracted with us to evaluate the entire stream system, and what we're finding is creating a roadmap for a much more reliable and long-lasting water feature.
There are still plenty of discoveries ahead on this project, and we're excited to take you along for the journey as we uncover issues, explain solutions, and continue restoring this aging ecosystem.
Stay tuned—this renovation is just getting started.
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