Chimney mortar joints repointed in Biscayne Park
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
When chimney joints start to give way
- Mortar eroded back from the brick face
- Earlier repointing popping out in strips
- Joints on one face far worse than others
- Caulk pushed into open joints
Jump to
Chimney mortar repair, explained plainly
Clearing dust from the raked chimney joints
Raking leaves dust and loose grains in every joint. New mortar packed onto dust bonds to the dust. Brick industry guidance lists a few ways to clear it, including a stiff brush, oil-free compressed air or a rinse of clean water.
We clean each joint before filling it. Federal preservation guidance favors a rinse with water to carry away the last loose particles. The joints should then be damp but not running with water when the mortar goes in. Clean, damp joints give the new mortar the best chance to bond.
Why repointing mortar is mixed drier
Mortar for laying brick is wetter than mortar for repointing. Federal preservation guidance explains that a drier mix is cleaner to work, packs tightly into the joint and cures with fewer shrinkage cracks. Brick industry guidance describes a similar consistency.
A wet mix smears across the brick faces and slumps in the joint. We aim for mortar stiff enough to press firmly into place. If you watch the work, it looks slower than bricklaying, and that is intended. Packing a stiff mix well is what makes the joint dense.
Joint profiles that help a chimney shed water
The shape of a finished joint matters on a chimney that takes weather on every side. Brick industry guidance says concave, V-shaped and grapevine joints best resist water on exterior brick, because tooling presses the mortar tight against the units.
If your chimney already has one of those profiles, we match it. If it has a profile that holds water, we explain the trade-off between matching the existing look and improving how the joints shed rain. You decide, and the estimate records the profile chosen.
Tuckpointing from a family-owned local team
Miami Chimney Repair is a family-owned, locally owned company. The joint findings are explained by us, and questions about the mortar and method come back to us rather than getting lost along the way.
Repointing rests on judgment at each step, from where to draw the boundary to when to tool a joint. We walk you through those calls in plain words. Upfront pricing with no hidden fees means the figure you agree to covers the joints on the estimate, and any change is raised with you before it happens.
Inside a chimney repointing proposal
- Raking to an even, sound depth
- Mortar chosen to suit the brick
- Brushing off excess mortar
- Mortar strength kept below the brick
Mortar joint repair answers
Can you repoint a chimney that has stucco over the brick?
Stucco hides the joints, so there is nothing to repoint from outside. Cracked or loose stucco belongs to stucco repair. If bare brick shows above the roofline, we can assess those joints as a separate area.
Is face grouting an option for fine joint cracks?
Brick industry guidance describes surface grouting for small hairline cracks. It changes how joints look, making them a little wider and smoother. Repointing is generally recommended because it suits more kinds of joint damage, and we explain which fits yours.
What does sandy grit at the chimney base tell you?
Grit collecting at the base or on the roof can come from mortar washing out of the joints. It is a useful clue rather than a diagnosis. We check the joints above it and look for the water that is eroding them.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Cap Installation and ReplacementProtect the chimney opening with a cap chosen for its fit, attachment and compatible system.
- Chimney Crown RepairRepair the damaged chimney top with an approach matched to the crown and supporting masonry.
- Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert InstallationFit a wood-burning insert after assessing its host fireplace and full connection requirements.
- Chimney Damper Repair and ReplacementRestore a usable damper mechanism after checking the plate, frame and control linkage.
- 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