Raking and repointing chimney joints in Bal Harbour
New joints are tooled to shed water and kept damp while the mortar cures.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Joint trouble you can spot from the yard
- White deposits that keep coming back
- Mortar pieces on the roof around the stack
- Caulk pushed into open joints
- Dark wet patches that linger on the brick
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What good tuckpointing looks like
Keeping the new mortar no stronger than the old
There is a second limit worth knowing. The brick industry's maintenance guidance says repointing mortar should be equal to or lower in strength than the original mortar in the wall. A stronger mix concentrates stress where mortar meets brick and can spall the brick face.
We look at the existing mortar, its hardness and how it has weathered before choosing the repair mix. Where the original is unusually soft, the new mortar has to respect that. We explain the choice in plain words and record it in the written record of the work.
Removing loose mortar deeper than the minimum
Sometimes the mortar is loose well past the usual raking depth. Federal preservation guidance says any loose or disintegrated mortar beyond the minimum should also come out. New mortar packed over crumbling material will not hold.
Where joints are deep, they are filled in stages rather than in one thick pass. We explain if we find unusually deep failure, because it can point to water getting well into the wall. That finding may change the plan for the crown, cap or flashing above, which we discuss as separate items.
What a tuckpointing estimate should show
A useful repointing estimate says where, how deep and with what. It should name the faces or areas included, the raking method, the mortar and how it will be matched. Protection, curing care and cleanup belong on it too.
Our written estimate follows that pattern, with upfront pricing and no hidden fees. Brick replacement, crown or flashing work appear as separate items with reasons. You approve the lines you want. If something changes once raking starts, we stop and explain before adding anything.
Scheduling repointing with roof and crown work
Joint work often sits alongside other jobs at the top of the house. Federal preservation guidance suggests scheduling related work so it does not interfere with repointing and so access set up once can serve both.
If the crown, cap or flashing needs work, we explain the sequence. Usually the source of water at the top is fixed before the joints below are repointed. If a roofer is coming, tell us the timing so the trades are not working over each other or damaging fresh work.
The tuckpointing items you approve
- Scrape test of suspect joints
- Water source notes before joint work
- Sample area where the finish matters
- Plant growth cut back from the joints
Chimney joint work, questions and answers
How long does new mortar take to cure?
Mortar hardens gradually and keeps gaining strength after it looks set. We keep new joints damp and shaded as needed and tell you what to avoid while it cures, such as washing the brick or using cleaners on it.
Do you match the new mortar to the brick or the old mortar?
Both matter. The mortar should suit the brick, which means softer and more permeable than the units and no harder than the original mix. Its color and texture are matched to the existing joints so the repair blends in.
Do you test a small area before repointing the whole chimney?
On larger or visible jobs, a sample area confirms color, texture and profile before the rest proceeds. Brick industry and federal preservation guidance both recommend sample panels. We explain whether one suits your chimney.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Chimney Crown RepairRepair the damaged chimney top with an approach matched to the crown and supporting masonry.
- Spalling Brick Repair and Chimney Brick ReplacementReplace deteriorated chimney bricks while retaining suitable surrounding masonry.
- Chimney Flue RepairAssess repairs to damaged existing flue linings and distinguish them from a new liner installation.
- Chimney WaterproofingTreat suitable chimney masonry after checking the surface, repair needs and product requirements.
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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