Tuckpointing for chimneys in Lauderdale West
Chimney tuckpointing in Lauderdale West begins with a free inspection of every face of the stack.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Clues that the chimney mortar is failing
- Joints that crumble when scraped
- Small holes and voids in the joints
- Mortar pieces on the roof around the stack
- Loose brick where joints have washed out
Jump to
Joint repair that protects 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.
Dust and noise while old mortar comes out
Federal preservation guidance is frank that joint preparation is noisy and can make a lot of dust. On a house, that means planning around windows, air intakes, vehicles and outdoor furniture near the chimney.
We agree with you which windows stay closed and where covers go before raking starts. Dust is controlled as the work proceeds and cleaned up at the end of each day. Tell us about anyone at home who is sensitive to dust, so we can plan the noisiest work accordingly.
Repointing does more than tidy the chimney
Fresh joints make a chimney look cared for, but the real purpose is keeping water out. Brick industry guidance explains that repairing cracked or deteriorated joints restores the mortar at the face and reduces the water that enters the masonry.
That matters inside the chimney as much as outside. Less water in the brick can mean less staining, fewer white deposits and less damage to the top courses and the flue. We explain what the repointing is expected to change, so you can judge the work by more than its looks.
A stucco-covered chimney has no joints to repoint
Some masonry chimneys are finished with stucco over brick or block. The mortar joints are hidden behind that finish, so there is nothing to repoint from the outside. Cracks in the stucco are a stucco repair question.
We confirm how your chimney is finished during the inspection. If brick is exposed on part of it, such as the stack above the roof, those joints can be assessed on their own. Stucco work and joint work are kept on separate lines, each with its own method.
What your tuckpointing estimate lists
- Tooling at thumbprint hardness
- Separate lines for crown or flashing work
- Plant growth cut back from the joints
- Cover over any opening left at the top
Chimney joint work, questions and answers
How do you decide which chimney joints need repointing?
We look at every face and test suspect joints by scraping lightly with a metal tool. Eroded, crumbling, hollow or cracked mortar is marked, along with cracks where mortar has let go of the brick. The estimate shows the areas we propose.
What should I do to prepare for tuckpointing at my home?
Clear access to the chimney base, move vehicles away from that side of the house and keep pets indoors. Tell us about plants, vents or fragile roofing near the chimney. We handle protection and cleanup.
Will you repoint the joints inside my firebox as well?
Firebox joints use refractory mortar and belong to firebox repair, a separate service. Chimney tuckpointing covers the exterior masonry. If both need work, each is priced on its own line so you can decide.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Liner Installation and ReliningPlan a compatible chimney liner installation with the existing passage, connections and maintenance access considered together.
- Chimney Animal RemovalAssess occupied chimney openings and plan appropriate follow-up cleaning or entry protection.
- Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert InstallationFit a wood-burning insert after assessing its host fireplace and full connection requirements.
- Chimney Masonry RepairRepair affected chimney brickwork and joints with materials selected for the construction already in place.
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