Chimney mortar joints repointed in Riverland Village
Head joints are cleared by hand, the method least likely to chip the brick edges beside them.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Mortar joint problems worth reporting in Riverland Village
- Mortar eroded back from the brick face
- Hairline cracks running along the joints
- Stepped cracks following the mortar lines
- Caulk pushed into open joints
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Chimney repointing in Riverland Village, start to finish
Pre-wetting brick that soaks up water
Some brick absorbs water readily. Federal preservation guidance suggests misting very absorbent masonry for a period before repointing begins. Otherwise the brick pulls moisture from the new mortar before it can set properly.
We check how quickly your brick takes up water during the inspection. If it is thirsty, we plan pre-wetting into the work and allow time for it. You may see us misting a face before any mortar goes on, and that is part of doing the joints properly.
Why staining new joints is not the usual fix
It can be tempting to stain new mortar to match weathered joints straight away. Federal preservation guidance generally advises against it. Stained and unstained mortar can weather at different rates, and some staining mixes introduce salts into the masonry.
We would rather get the match right in the mix and let the joints weather. If a contrast remains that bothers you, we discuss options openly. One is repointing a larger area, so the difference sits at a natural boundary rather than in the middle of a face.
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.
Chimneys that carry several earlier repairs
Some chimneys show joints from several past repairs, each a different color and hardness. Tell us what you know about that history, even roughly. It helps explain why some joints have failed and others have not.
We check which repairs are sound and which are coming away. Very hard patches may be causing damage to the brick beside them. We explain whether the new work should follow the original mortar, blend several patches or reset a whole face so the repairs stop showing.
What the free joint inspection covers
- Scrape test of suspect joints
- Water source notes before joint work
- Removal of mortar slivers on brick edges
- Mortar strength kept below the brick
Questions to ask before repointing
How do you decide which chimney joints need repointing?
We look at every face and test suspect joints by scraping lightly with a metal tool. Eroded, crumbling, hollow or cracked mortar is marked, along with cracks where mortar has let go of the brick. The estimate shows the areas we propose.
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.
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.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo