Chimney mortar repair done joint by joint in Kendall
Joint work starts with finding the water that wore the mortar away, not with a trowel.
- 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
- Joints that crumble when scraped
- Sandy grit at the base of the chimney
- Hairline cracks running along the joints
- Stepped cracks following the mortar lines
Jump to
How we approach chimney tuckpointing in Kendall
Raking chimney joints to an even, sound depth
Old mortar is removed to an even depth before any new mortar goes in. Brick industry guidance ties that depth to the width of the joint, or deeper where the mortar is still unsound. An even depth lets the new mortar bond and cure consistently.
Uneven raking leaves thick new mortar in some spots and a thin skin in others. The thin areas are the ones most likely to crack and pop out later. We rake each joint to sound material and check depth as we go, so the repair has a proper base throughout.
Why staining new joints is not the usual fix
It can be tempting to stain new mortar to match weathered joints straight away. Federal preservation guidance generally advises against it. Stained and unstained mortar can weather at different rates, and some staining mixes introduce salts into the masonry.
We would rather get the match right in the mix and let the joints weather. If a contrast remains that bothers you, we discuss options openly. One is repointing a larger area, so the difference sits at a natural boundary rather than in the middle of a face.
Joints and washes at the chimney shoulders
Where a chimney narrows as it rises, the brick steps back in shoulders. Brick industry guidance on chimney construction prefers solid brick on those steps and notes that mortar washes there may not last as well. Water sitting on a shoulder can soak into the joints below.
We check the shoulders for cracked washes, open joints and exposed brick cores. Repointing the joints helps, but a failed wash or exposed cores may need their own repair. We explain the difference and keep each item separate on the estimate.
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.
Repointing work we price area by area
- Joint survey on every chimney face
- Mortar chosen to suit the brick
- Pre-hydrated mortar placed in thin layers
- Mortar strength kept below the brick
Mortar joint repair answers
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.
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.
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.
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