Raking and repointing chimney joints in Edgewood
Damaged bricks found during raking are shown to you and priced as their own item.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Chimney mortar damage worth a closer look
- Earlier repointing popping out in strips
- Small holes and voids in the joints
- Plants rooting in the mortar joints
- Stepped cracks following the mortar lines
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Choosing mortar for a chimney repoint
Tinting repointing mortar with pigments
Where sand alone does not reach the color, a pigment can help. Brick industry guidance calls for mineral oxide pigments rather than organic colorants, and federal preservation guidance favors pigments that resist fading. Both limit how much pigment goes into a mix.
We use pigment sparingly and only when it improves the match. The amount stays within the limits both sources set. If a close match is not realistic, we tell you before work starts rather than after the joints have set.
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.
Pre-wetting brick that soaks up water
Some brick absorbs water readily. Federal preservation guidance suggests misting very absorbent masonry for a period before repointing begins. Otherwise the brick pulls moisture from the new mortar before it can set properly.
We check how quickly your brick takes up water during the inspection. If it is thirsty, we plan pre-wetting into the work and allow time for it. You may see us misting a face before any mortar goes on, and that is part of doing the joints properly.
Details to share before a tuckpointing visit
A few details help us plan. Tell us which side of the chimney looks worst, whether you have seen grit or mortar pieces and whether water shows inside after rain. Mention any earlier repointing or coatings you know about.
Describe how the roof can be reached and whether an appliance vents into the chimney. You do not need exact answers. A rough history points us to the right faces and saves time during the free inspection. Anything you remember about past repairs is useful.
Repointing work we price area by area
- Water source notes before joint work
- Dust cleared from the raked joints
- Separate line for damaged brick units
- Aftercare notes for the fresh joints
Chimney mortar questions we hear
What happens if you find damaged bricks while raking?
We stop and show you. A brick with a broken or flaking face cannot be fixed by the mortar around it. Replacing it is a separate item with its own price, and it is added only with your approval.
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.
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.
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Local service. Careful repairs. A fireplace worth coming home to.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo