Mortar joint repair for brick chimneys in Boulevard Gardens
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
Signs the chimney joints need repointing
- Gaps opening between brick and mortar
- Earlier repointing popping out in strips
- Small holes and voids in the joints
- White deposits that keep coming back
Jump to
How we approach chimney tuckpointing in Boulevard Gardens
A clean, square cut behind each joint
How a joint is cut out matters as much as how deep it goes. Federal preservation guidance asks for old mortar to come away cleanly, with the back of each cut left square rather than rounded. A rounded or V-shaped cavity gives new mortar less to grip.
We clear each joint so the new mortar meets clean brick surfaces on both sides. That is slower than running a tool down the middle of the joint. It is also what lets the repointed mortar lock into place instead of sitting in a shallow groove.
Tooling joints when the mortar is thumbprint hard
The final layer of mortar is tooled once it reaches what brick industry guidance calls thumbprint hardness. A thumb pressed into it leaves a print without mortar sticking to the skin. Tooling at that stage compacts the surface and seals it against the brick.
Tooling too soon drags wet mortar across the brick face. Tooling too late leaves the surface poorly consolidated. We work along the chimney in sections so each area is tooled at the right time, which also helps the joints dry to an even color.
Covering the flue when the cap comes off
Repointing the top courses sometimes means lifting the rain cap for access. That leaves the flue open to rain and debris while the work continues.
Whenever the cap is off and we stop for the day, the flue opening gets a cover until we return. The cap goes back on once the top joints are finished. If its fixings are worn or the cap is damaged, we tell you, and replacing it is priced as a separate item. The joint scope itself does not change because the cap came off.
Our warranty on the joints we repoint
Our workmanship warranty applies to the joints repointed under the scope you approved. It covers the raking, filling, tooling and curing care we carried out on those areas.
Should a joint crack or loosen afterwards, phone us with its location and when you noticed it. We check it against the areas listed in your written record. The trouble may trace back to a part outside the joint work, such as the crown or the flashing. In that case we name the part and treat it as its own item, with its own explanation and price.
Repointing work we price area by area
- Dust cleared from the raked joints
- Sample area where the finish matters
- Brushing off excess mortar
- Aftercare notes for the fresh joints
What people ask about chimney mortar
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.
Does tuckpointing stop water getting into the chimney?
It can, when open joints are the path water takes. Water also enters through the crown, cap, flashing or cracked brick. We explain what the joints contribute, and when this job calls for a hose water test we tell you why.
Why do some joint shapes hold up better on a chimney?
Concave and V-shaped joints are pressed tight against the brick when tooled, which helps them resist water. Recessed or ledged joints can hold water on the face. We discuss matching the existing look against weather resistance.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Gas Fireplace InstallationCreate a complete gas fireplace installation plan for the room, appliance and connected systems.
- Chimney Masonry RepairRepair affected chimney brickwork and joints with materials selected for the construction already in place.
- Chimney Crown RepairRepair the damaged chimney top with an approach matched to the crown and supporting masonry.
- Chimney WaterproofingTreat suitable chimney masonry after checking the surface, repair needs and product requirements.
- Chimney Sweep and Chimney CleaningArrange careful chimney cleaning in Miami with a defined scope, protected work area and useful findings.
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