Mortar joint repair for brick chimneys in Bermuda Riviera
A water repellent is discussed only after the joints are sound and have had time to settle.
- 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
- Earlier repointing popping out in strips
- Plants rooting in the mortar joints
- Mortar pieces on the roof around the stack
- Joint profile worn flat or recessed
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Joint repair that protects the brick
Why no one mortar suits every chimney
Two chimneys that look alike can need different repointing mortar. One may be built of hard, dense brick and another of softer units that absorb water readily. The original mortar may be lime-rich or cement-rich.
Brick industry guidance asks that mortar be checked for compatibility with the units and the application, not picked from habit. We look at the brick and the existing joints before choosing. You hear the reasoning, so the mortar on your estimate is a decision rather than a default.
Raking chimney joints to an even, sound depth
Old mortar is removed to an even depth before any new mortar goes in. Brick industry guidance ties that depth to the width of the joint, or deeper where the mortar is still unsound. An even depth lets the new mortar bond and cure consistently.
Uneven raking leaves thick new mortar in some spots and a thin skin in others. The thin areas are the ones most likely to crack and pop out later. We rake each joint to sound material and check depth as we go, so the repair has a proper base throughout.
What to watch after repointing
After the work, watch the chimney through the next few heavy rains. Look for new stains inside, fresh grit at the base or any joint that looks cracked or hollow. New mortar may show fine surface lines while it cures, which is worth mentioning.
If anything concerns you, note where and when you saw it. Call us and describe it. The written record shows which areas were repointed, so we can check the work and any other part of the chimney that could be involved.
Wall temperature and fresh mortar
Fresh mortar needs water to cure, and the wall temperature affects how fast it loses that water. Federal preservation guidance gives a working range and warns against conditions that dry mortar too quickly.
We check the conditions on the day and plan the work around them. On a hot wall that may mean shade, misting and an earlier start. If conditions are outside what the mortar can handle, we reschedule rather than risk joints that never bond properly. We call you as early as we can when that happens.
Mortar joint checks for homes in Bermuda Riviera
- Removal of mortar slivers on brick edges
- Dust cleared from the raked joints
- Plant growth cut back from the joints
- Workmanship warranty on the agreed joints
Mortar joint repair answers
How deep are the old joints raked out?
Deep enough to reach sound mortar, to an even depth that relates to the joint width, as brick industry guidance describes. Shallow raking leaves new mortar too thin to hold, which is one reason earlier repointing sometimes falls out.
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.
Why did earlier repointing fall out of the joints?
Shallow preparation is a frequent reason. When old mortar is not raked deep enough, a thin skin of new mortar has little to grip. A mix that is too hard, or water still entering the wall, can also cause it.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo