Tuckpointing for chimneys in Pinecrest
Chimney tuckpointing in Pinecrest 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
- Hairline cracks running along the joints
- Earlier repointing popping out in strips
- Joint profile worn flat or recessed
Jump to
From raking to tooling, the repointing sequence
Protecting fresh joints from heavy rain
Freshly tooled mortar is soft at the surface. Heavy rain can wash out fine material, streak the brick below and leave joints rough. Covering the work is part of the job when showers are likely.
If rain threatens, we protect the day's joints before we leave and may shift the schedule. We would rather lose a few hours than redo a face of joints. Tell us if you notice covers moved by wind, so we can reset them promptly. A face of joints protected for a day is worth the small delay.
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.
Joints at the roof line and the flashing
Where the chimney meets the roof, counter flashing is often set into a mortar joint. If that joint has failed, water can get behind the flashing. If the flashing itself is loose, water can reach the joints and brick below.
We look at both when the roof-line joints are in poor shape. Repointing covers the mortar. Re-forming or resetting the flashing is flashing work with its own line on the estimate. We explain how the two relate, so neither is fixed in a way that damages the other.
Film coatings over repointed brick
Some coatings form a film on the brick surface. Brick industry guidance on clear coatings explains that film formers can stop water getting in but also slow drying through the face. Moisture held behind the film can lead to clouding and spalling.
We do not recommend a film-forming coat over newly repointed brick. If your chimney already has one that is peeling, we explain how it affects the joint work and whether it should come off. Any coating decision is kept separate from the repointing itself.
What your tuckpointing estimate lists
- Water source notes before joint work
- Separate lines for crown or flashing work
- Cleanup and haul-away of old mortar
- Written record of faces and joints renewed
What people ask about chimney mortar
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.
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.
Can repointing be done safely on a hot day?
Yes, with care. Mortar that dries too fast bonds poorly, so we keep joints damp and shaded and may start earlier in the day. We plan around the conditions rather than rushing mortar onto a hot wall.
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