Raking and repointing chimney joints in Riverside Park
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 Riverside Park
- Stepped cracks following the mortar lines
- Loose brick where joints have washed out
- Dark wet patches that linger on the brick
- Water inside after rain on one side
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Chimney repointing in Riverside Park, start to finish
A clean, square cut behind each joint
How a joint is cut out matters as much as how deep it goes. Federal preservation guidance asks for old mortar to come away cleanly, with the back of each cut left square rather than rounded. A rounded or V-shaped cavity gives new mortar less to grip.
We clear each joint so the new mortar meets clean brick surfaces on both sides. That is slower than running a tool down the middle of the joint. It is also what lets the repointed mortar lock into place instead of sitting in a shallow groove.
Hardness is not the same as permeability
A mortar can feel hard and still let moisture pass, and a softer one can be dense. Federal preservation guidance notes that softness or hardness is not necessarily an indication of permeability. Old lime mortars can be hard and still breathe.
That is why we look at the brick and the existing mortar together rather than scratching a joint and judging by hardness alone. The goal is a new mortar that lets the wall dry through its joints and stays the weaker partner to the brick.
Dust and noise while old mortar comes out
Federal preservation guidance is frank that joint preparation is noisy and can make a lot of dust. On a house, that means planning around windows, air intakes, vehicles and outdoor furniture near the chimney.
We agree with you which windows stay closed and where covers go before raking starts. Dust is controlled as the work proceeds and cleaned up at the end of each day. Tell us about anyone at home who is sensitive to dust, so we can plan the noisiest work accordingly.
When loose brick means more than repointing
Repointing assumes the bricks are staying where they are. If sections of the chimney are loose, bulging or leaning, packing new mortar around them does not make them sound. Those are structural questions.
We explain when a chimney needs a wider assessment or partial rebuilding before joint work makes sense. A rebuild, if needed, is described and priced as its own job. Repointing the rest of the chimney can then be planned around it, so the two repairs work together.
Before you approve tuckpointing in Riverside Park
- Sample area where the finish matters
- Curing care for the new joints
- Dust control and covers during raking
- Separate lines for crown or flashing work
Chimney joint work, questions and answers
Will the new mortar match the color of the old joints?
We aim for a close match by choosing the sand and, where needed, a pigment, then comparing samples wet and dry against the existing joints. New mortar often looks brighter at first and settles as it weathers.
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.
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.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo