TUCKPOINTING

If the mortar in between your bricks begins to fail, we can help. And here is the great news: It will not require a full or partial rebuild. Even a chimney that is waterproofed may eventually require maintenance, and the mortar joints in between your bricks are often the weakest link and the first to fail. Our masons grind out 1/2 inch of the mortar and replace it with a process known as repointing, sometimes called pointing or tuckpointing. Once the old mortar is ground out new mortar is placed into the grooves with a grout bag or small trowel. After the mortar sets to exactly the right firmness, a mason will use a tool called a striker to expertly remove the excess mortar, leaving a uniform depression in between the bricks. Tuckpointing ensures that your chimney is back to a proper condition, both aesthetically and functionally. If a chimney with mortar damage is left unattended, water will begin to enter the chimney structure and make things worse in short order.

Well protected mortar in a chimney or other brick structures should have a functional lifespan of around 30 years or more. Homeowners will be relieved to know that repointing is a very cost-effective of extending your chimney’s life.