Repointing chimney brickwork with matched mortar in Mission Bay
A water repellent is discussed only after the joints are sound and have had time to settle.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Mortar joint problems worth reporting in Mission Bay
- Joints that crumble when scraped
- Damp brick inside the attic by the chimney
- Mortar pieces on the roof around the stack
- Joints on one face far worse than others
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Joint repair that protects the brick
Why new mortar looks brighter at first
Even a well-matched mortar looks a little different when it is new. Federal preservation guidance explains that old mortar has weathered at the surface, exposing more of its sand, while new mortar has not. The difference usually softens as the new joints weather.
We tell you what to expect so a slight contrast on the day is not a surprise. We match to sheltered, unweathered areas of the original mortar, because that is what the new joints will come to resemble. Patience usually does more than any treatment.
Caulk pushed into mortar joints
Sealant squeezed into open joints can look like a quick fix. It is not mortar. It does not fill the joint to depth, it blocks moisture from leaving and it peels as it ages and can take loose mortar with it.
We remove caulk from joints before repointing, along with the failed mortar behind it. The joint is then raked, cleaned and filled like any other. If caulk was used in many places, the estimate notes the extra preparation so the scope is clear.
Repointing before or after cleaning the brick
If a chimney needs both cleaning and repointing, the order matters. Federal preservation guidance suggests cleaning first when the joints are basically sound. Repointing comes first when the mortar has eroded badly enough for water to get deep into the wall.
We explain which order suits your chimney. Where repointing comes first, any cleaning waits until the new mortar has hardened, and it begins with the gentlest method. Cleaning and repointing each appear on the estimate as their own items, so you can decide on each.
Joint work as a craft apart from bricklaying
A point from the brick industry's maintenance guidance is worth knowing. A good bricklayer is not automatically a good repointer. Raking without damaging edges, matching mortar and tooling at the right moment are skills of their own.
That is worth asking about when you compare proposals. Ask who does the joint work, how head joints are cleared and how the mortar is matched. We answer those questions directly, and the written estimate describes the method so you can hold us to it.
Separate lines for joints and bricks
- Water source notes before joint work
- Joint dampening before new mortar
- Tooling at thumbprint hardness
- Written record of faces and joints renewed
Questions to ask before repointing
Do you use power tools to remove old chimney mortar?
Hand tools are the least likely to damage brick edges. Power tools can help on some horizontal joints in skilled hands, but head joints are cleared by hand. We explain the method before work starts.
Is face grouting an option for fine joint cracks?
Brick industry guidance describes surface grouting for small hairline cracks. It changes how joints look, making them a little wider and smoother. Repointing is generally recommended because it suits more kinds of joint damage, and we explain which fits yours.
Does the workmanship warranty cover tuckpointing in Mission Bay?
Yes. The joints we renew under the agreed scope carry our workmanship warranty. The written record lists the faces and areas repointed, which helps if you notice anything about the chimney later on.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo