Chimney mortar repair done joint by joint in Midtown
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
Joint trouble you can spot from the yard
- Joints that crumble when scraped
- Gaps opening between brick and mortar
- Small holes and voids in the joints
- Damp brick inside the attic by the chimney
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Getting chimney mortar joints right in Midtown
Hand chisels and the gentlest mortar removal
Federal preservation guidance describes hand chisels and mash hammers as the least damaging way to remove old mortar. The work is slower, but it poses the least risk to the brick edges. On many chimneys that care is what keeps the finished job looking right.
We use hand tools wherever the brick or the joint calls for them. On very hard mortar or wide horizontal joints, a skilled hand with a suitable tool can help. We explain the method we plan to use and how the brick edges will be protected.
Recessing joints where brick edges are worn
Weathered brick often has rounded edges. Federal preservation guidance suggests setting the new mortar slightly back from the face in that case. Filling flush to a rounded edge makes the joints look wider and leaves a thin feather of mortar that breaks easily.
We look at the brick edges before choosing how full to fill the joints. On worn brick, a slightly recessed joint looks truer to the original and lasts better at its edge. We explain this choice on the estimate, because it changes how the finished chimney looks.
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.
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.
What the free joint inspection covers
- Scrape test of suspect joints
- Head joints cleared by hand
- Cover over any opening left at the top
- Workmanship warranty on the agreed joints
Mortar joint repair answers
Can you repoint only the worst joints on the chimney?
Sometimes. Where damage is confined, spot repointing can be sensible. Brick industry guidance also suggests repointing every joint in an affected area, because it is hard to tell which joints admit water. We explain the boundary we recommend.
Why did earlier repointing fall out of the joints?
Shallow preparation is a frequent reason. When old mortar is not raked deep enough, a thin skin of new mortar has little to grip. A mix that is too hard, or water still entering the wall, can also cause it.
What details help when I call about chimney mortar?
Tell us which side of the chimney looks worst, whether grit or mortar pieces have fallen and whether water shows inside. Mention earlier repointing or coatings. These details help us plan where to look first.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Sweep and Chimney CleaningArrange careful chimney cleaning in Miami with a defined scope, protected work area and useful findings.
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- Ventless Gas Fireplace ServiceService the identified vent-free appliance without bypassing its required safety components.
- Chimney WaterproofingTreat suitable chimney masonry after checking the surface, repair needs and product requirements.
- Gas Fireplace InstallationCreate a complete gas fireplace installation plan for the room, appliance and connected systems.
Proudly American
Local service. Careful repairs. A fireplace worth coming home to.
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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