Raking and repointing chimney joints in Princeton
We rake out failed mortar to sound depth and repoint with a mix that suits your brick.
- 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
- Sandy grit at the base of the chimney
- Hairline cracks running along the joints
- Joints on one face far worse than others
- Dark wet patches that linger on the brick
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Getting chimney mortar joints right in Princeton
Raking chimney joints to an even, sound depth
Old mortar is removed to an even depth before any new mortar goes in. Brick industry guidance ties that depth to the width of the joint, or deeper where the mortar is still unsound. An even depth lets the new mortar bond and cure consistently.
Uneven raking leaves thick new mortar in some spots and a thin skin in others. The thin areas are the ones most likely to crack and pop out later. We rake each joint to sound material and check depth as we go, so the repair has a proper base throughout.
Firebox joints are a separate job
The joints inside a firebox face direct fire and use refractory mortar made for heat. They are not repaired with the mortar used on the outside of the chimney. That work belongs to firebox repair.
If you mention cracked joints inside the fireplace, we look at them during the inspection and explain what they need. Exterior tuckpointing and firebox work each have their own line on the estimate. You can approve one without the other, and each uses the material its location requires.
The written record of repointed areas
When the work is complete, you receive a written record of it. It lists the faces and areas repointed, the type of mortar used and how it was matched. It also notes anything we saw that falls outside the joint work.
Keep it with your home papers. If you sell the house or call us later, the record shows what was done and where. A future repair can then match the same mortar and method instead of starting from guesswork.
No raking until you approve the scope
No mortar comes out of your chimney until you have approved the estimate. It describes each area, the method, the mortar and the price. Take the time you need, or get a second view.
After approval, we set a date and explain how the day will run. Should the raking expose something unexpected, such as a cracked brick or failure deeper than it looked, work on that spot pauses while we show you. The agreed scope stays fixed unless you approve a change. That holds for every item, however minor it looks on the day.
Separate lines for joints and bricks
- Scrape test of suspect joints
- Joint profile that sheds water
- Written record of faces and joints renewed
- Upfront price for each repointing area
Chimney joint work, questions and answers
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.
What happens if you find damaged bricks while raking?
We stop and show you. A brick with a broken or flaking face cannot be fixed by the mortar around it. Replacing it is a separate item with its own price, and it is added only with your approval.
Why do some joint shapes hold up better on a chimney?
Concave and V-shaped joints are pressed tight against the brick when tooled, which helps them resist water. Recessed or ledged joints can hold water on the face. We discuss matching the existing look against weather resistance.
Proudly American
Local service. Careful repairs. A fireplace worth coming home to.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo