Repointing chimney brickwork with matched mortar in Fort Lauderdale
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
Mortar wear to mention when you call
- Hairline cracks running along the joints
- Gaps opening between brick and mortar
- Damp brick inside the attic by the chimney
- Joint profile worn flat or recessed
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How we approach chimney tuckpointing in Fort Lauderdale
Hardness is not the same as permeability
A mortar can feel hard and still let moisture pass, and a softer one can be dense. Federal preservation guidance notes that softness or hardness is not necessarily an indication of permeability. Old lime mortars can be hard and still breathe.
That is why we look at the brick and the existing mortar together rather than scratching a joint and judging by hardness alone. The goal is a new mortar that lets the wall dry through its joints and stays the weaker partner to the brick.
Bagged masonry cement and softer brick
Premixed masonry cement is easy to buy and use. Federal preservation guidance notes that it produces strong mortar and generally contains a large share of portland cement. On softer brick, that strength can be the problem rather than the solution.
If an earlier repair used a hard bagged mix, the contrast often shows as bright, dense joints beside older ones. We check for damage along those joints. For the new work, we choose a mix to suit the brick rather than the most convenient bag.
No raking until you approve the scope
No mortar comes out of your chimney until you have approved the estimate. It describes each area, the method, the mortar and the price. Take the time you need, or get a second view.
After approval, we set a date and explain how the day will run. Should the raking expose something unexpected, such as a cracked brick or failure deeper than it looked, work on that spot pauses while we show you. The agreed scope stays fixed unless you approve a change. That holds for every item, however minor it looks on the day.
What changes the size of a repointing job
Repointing jobs vary a great deal. How many faces are involved and how deep the failure runs both change the work. So do the hardness of the old mortar and what it takes to reach the stack above the roof. A sample area adds a step too.
We tell you which of these shape your job. Each area is priced upfront on the estimate. Should the work grow once raking begins, it stops at that point and we talk it through with you before anything extra goes ahead.
Repointing work we price area by area
- Joint dampening before new mortar
- Mortar chosen to suit the brick
- Brushing off excess mortar
- Separate lines for crown or flashing work
Questions to ask before repointing
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.
Can I use the fireplace while the chimney is being repointed?
The work is on the outside of the masonry, but fresh joints are still curing. We tell you whether a fire is fine during the project and when normal use can resume, based on where we worked and the mortar used.
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.
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