Raking and repointing chimney joints in Franklin Park
Repointing mortar should be softer than the brick, and we explain the mix we choose.
- 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
- Mortar eroded back from the brick face
- Loose brick where joints have washed out
- Thin mortar smeared over old joints
- Water inside after rain on one side
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Getting chimney mortar joints right in Franklin Park
Removing loose mortar deeper than the minimum
Sometimes the mortar is loose well past the usual raking depth. Federal preservation guidance says any loose or disintegrated mortar beyond the minimum should also come out. New mortar packed over crumbling material will not hold.
Where joints are deep, they are filled in stages rather than in one thick pass. We explain if we find unusually deep failure, because it can point to water getting well into the wall. That finding may change the plan for the crown, cap or flashing above, which we discuss as separate items.
Dampening joints without leaving standing water
Dry brick draws water out of fresh mortar too quickly, which weakens the bond. Both federal preservation and brick industry guidance call for damp joints before repointing. They also warn against standing water, which thins the mortar at the surface.
We wet the joints and let the brick take up the surface water before packing. The aim is a joint that feels damp but shows no film of water. On a warm day that step may need repeating as the work moves along the chimney face.
Sandy grit collecting at the chimney base
Fine sand around the base of a chimney, on the roof beside it or in the gutter can come from mortar washing out of the joints. As the binder weakens, rain carries the sand away grain by grain.
It is a useful clue, not a diagnosis. Grit can also come from roofing or from nearby paving. We check the joints above it by scraping and look for the water that is eroding them. Mention the grit when you call, and where you see the most of it.
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.
Repointing work we price area by area
- Scrape test of suspect joints
- Dust control and covers during raking
- Separate line for damaged brick units
- Access plan for the stack above the roof
What people ask about chimney mortar
How is dust handled while old mortar is removed?
Raking makes dust and noise. We agree with you which windows stay shut, protect surfaces below and clean up as we go. Tell us about vents, patio furniture or vehicles near the chimney so we can plan protection.
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.
Can repointing be done safely on a hot day?
Yes, with care. Mortar that dries too fast bonds poorly, so we keep joints damp and shaded and may start earlier in the day. We plan around the conditions rather than rushing mortar onto a hot wall.
Proudly American
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