Tuckpointing for chimneys in Lauderdale Isles
Our family team explains the mortar, the method and the curing care in plain words.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Clues that the chimney mortar is failing
- Plants rooting in the mortar joints
- White deposits that keep coming back
- Damp brick inside the attic by the chimney
- Thin mortar smeared over old joints
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Getting chimney mortar joints right in Lauderdale Isles
Cleanup and removal of the old mortar
Raked mortar, dust and broken pieces are collected as the work goes on, not left on the roof or in the beds below. When the job is done, the area is cleaned and the debris is hauled away with us.
Mortar smears on the brick are brushed off while they are soft. Paths and roof surfaces near the chimney are swept. If anything was moved to give us access, we put it back or tell you where it is. You should find the site as tidy as we found it, with new joints in the chimney.
Using the fireplace during joint work
Repointing happens on the outside of the chimney, but the mortar is still curing for a while after it goes in. Heat from a fire warms the masonry around the flue and can dry fresh joints faster than planned.
We tell you whether to hold off on fires during the project and when normal use can resume. The answer depends on where we worked and the mortar used. If an appliance vents into the chimney, tell us before work starts so its flue stays clear throughout.
Getting the site ready for joint work
A little preparation makes repointing smoother. Clear access to the base of the chimney, move vehicles parked beside it and bring in anything fragile from that side of the house. Keep pets indoors while raking is under way.
Tell us about plants you want protected, outdoor vents and any roofing that marks easily. We bring covers and protection for the rest. If you need to leave during the work, let us know how to reach you in case a question comes up.
Wall temperature and fresh mortar
Fresh mortar needs water to cure, and the wall temperature affects how fast it loses that water. Federal preservation guidance gives a working range and warns against conditions that dry mortar too quickly.
We check the conditions on the day and plan the work around them. On a hot wall that may mean shade, misting and an earlier start. If conditions are outside what the mortar can handle, we reschedule rather than risk joints that never bond properly. We call you as early as we can when that happens.
What your tuckpointing estimate lists
- Scrape test of suspect joints
- Head joints cleared by hand
- Brushing off excess mortar
- Written record of faces and joints renewed
Chimney mortar questions we hear
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.
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.
Do you match the new mortar to the brick or the old mortar?
Both matter. The mortar should suit the brick, which means softer and more permeable than the units and no harder than the original mix. Its color and texture are matched to the existing joints so the repair blends in.
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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