Tuckpointing the chimney on your home in Pinewood
New joints are tooled to shed water and kept damp while the mortar cures.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
When chimney joints start to give way
- Mortar eroded back from the brick face
- Earlier repointing popping out in strips
- Damp brick inside the attic by the chimney
- Stepped cracks following the mortar lines
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What good tuckpointing looks like
Testing chimney joints by light scraping
Looking at a joint tells part of the story. Brick industry guidance adds a simple test, which is scraping the mortar lightly with a metal tool. Sound mortar resists. Weak mortar powders or comes away in grains.
We scrape suspect joints across each face rather than judging by color alone. Some joints look fine and are soft underneath, while others look worn and are still firm. The test lets us draw the repointing boundary around mortar that has actually failed, not around joints that only look old.
Face grouting for fine joint cracks
Brick industry maintenance guidance describes face grouting as a way to fill small hairline cracks in otherwise sound joints. A thin grout is worked into the cracks with a brush. It is a lighter treatment than repointing.
It has limits. The joints end up looking slightly wider and smoother, because the sand texture is covered. The same guidance says repointing is generally recommended because it handles more kinds of joint damage. We explain whether your joints suit grouting or need raking out.
Joints on the stack above the roofline
Above the roofline, a chimney stands in the open with no wall or eave to shelter any face. Brick industry maintenance guidance notes that chimneys, caps and copings face harsher exposure than ordinary walls. Their joints can need attention sooner as a result.
When we inspect, the stack above the roof gets the closest look. Joints there can fail while those lower on the chimney are still sound. We explain whether the repointing should focus on that section and price it separately from any work lower down.
Joint findings explained on site in Pinewood
At the end of a joint inspection in Pinewood, we walk you through the results before we leave. We show which faces need work, which joints tested soft under the scraper and what seems to be wearing them down.
Stand where you can see the chimney and we will point to the areas. Nothing is too small to ask about. The written estimate that follows lists the same findings area by area, so what you heard in the yard and what you read later agree.
What your tuckpointing estimate lists
- Scrape test of suspect joints
- Raking to an even, sound depth
- Mortar chosen to suit the brick
- Cover over any opening left at the top
Answers about chimney repointing
Should the chimney be waterproofed after repointing in Pinewood?
Not straight away. The brick industry's advice on clear coatings is to wait several months after repairs, because the repairs often stop the water on their own. A repellent after that is a separate item.
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.
What does sandy grit at the chimney base tell you?
Grit collecting at the base or on the roof can come from mortar washing out of the joints. It is a useful clue rather than a diagnosis. We check the joints above it and look for the water that is eroding them.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Prefab and Zero-Clearance Fireplace RepairIdentify and repair manufactured fireplace components using the appropriate model information.
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Chimney Leak RepairFind the chimney water entry point and plan a repair before restoring the damaged finish.
- Chimney Chase Cover ReplacementReplace the chase top with a properly planned cover and clearly defined pipe connections.
- Chimney RebuildRebuild the affected chimney section with the retained structure, roof connection and passage included in the plan.
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