Raking and repointing chimney joints in Alameda
Dust, grit and old mortar are cleaned up and hauled away when the job is done.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Clues that the chimney mortar is failing
- Sandy grit at the base of the chimney
- Small holes and voids in the joints
- Joints on one face far worse than others
- Stepped cracks following the mortar lines
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How we approach chimney tuckpointing in Alameda
Finding the water before renewing the joints
Federal preservation guidance is clear about repointing alone. The cause of the deterioration has to be dealt with first, or the new mortar wears out the same way. On a chimney that cause is often water from somewhere above.
We check the crown, the cap, the flashing and the brick faces before proposing joint work. If one of them is feeding water into the masonry, we explain it and price it as a separate item. Repointing then protects a chimney that is no longer being soaked.
Clearing the vertical head joints by hand
The short vertical joints between bricks are called head joints. Federal preservation guidance says mechanical tools should not be used on them, because a slip cuts into the brick above or below. Brick industry guidance adds that a grinder cannot reach their full depth anyway.
We clear head joints with a chisel. The remaining mortar is taken out to the same depth as the long bed joints, so the finished joints match. It is careful work, and it is one of the places where a quick job and a good one differ most.
Packing chimney mortar in thin layers
Brick industry and federal preservation guidance both describe repointing in thin layers. Each layer is pressed firmly into the back of the joint and allowed to stiffen before the next goes on. Most shrinkage happens while each layer hardens.
Layering keeps that shrinkage small and spread out, instead of opening one crack along the face of a thick fill. It is a step that takes patience. We tell you in the estimate that joints are filled in layers, because it affects how long the work takes.
Looking at chimney joints from the ground
You can check the joints without climbing. Brick industry maintenance guidance suggests binoculars for looking at masonry high on a building. From the yard, look for joints that sit deep behind the brick face, dark lines of missing mortar or plants growing from the chimney.
Note which side looks worst and tell us when you call. Stay off the roof. A closer look is part of our free inspection, and the view from the ground is enough to help us plan where to begin.
What we check before quoting repointing
- Raking to an even, sound depth
- Pre-hydrated mortar placed in thin layers
- Tooling at thumbprint hardness
- Workmanship warranty on the agreed joints
What people ask about chimney mortar
Can you repoint only the worst joints on the chimney?
Sometimes. Where damage is confined, spot repointing can be sensible. Brick industry guidance also suggests repointing every joint in an affected area, because it is hard to tell which joints admit water. We explain the boundary we recommend.
Can repointing be done safely on a hot day?
Yes, with care. Mortar that dries too fast bonds poorly, so we keep joints damp and shaded and may start earlier in the day. We plan around the conditions rather than rushing mortar onto a hot wall.
Can you match a joint profile that has worn away?
We look for sheltered spots where the original profile survives, such as under the crown overhang. Where brick edges are worn, the new joint may sit slightly back from the face to avoid a thin, fragile edge.
We received your request
Our team will contact you to arrange your inspection.
Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo