Tuckpointing the chimney on your home in Sunrise
If joint work alone will not fix the problem, we explain what else the chimney needs.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Chimney mortar damage worth a closer look
- Earlier repointing popping out in strips
- Caulk pushed into open joints
- Dark wet patches that linger on the brick
- Water inside after rain on one side
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Joint repair that protects the brick
Why fast grinders can damage brick edges
A grinder can clear a joint quickly, and it can also chip brick corners and cut into the brick above or below. Federal preservation guidance warns that power saws used on thin brick joints almost always cause that damage. Once cut, the brick edge cannot be restored.
Damaged edges also make joints look wider than they are and leave thin, fragile mortar at the face. We keep grinders away from joints where they would harm the brick. If a power tool helps on some horizontal joints, final cleaning is still done by hand.
Clearing the vertical head joints by hand
The short vertical joints between bricks are called head joints. Federal preservation guidance says mechanical tools should not be used on them, because a slip cuts into the brick above or below. Brick industry guidance adds that a grinder cannot reach their full depth anyway.
We clear head joints with a chisel. The remaining mortar is taken out to the same depth as the long bed joints, so the finished joints match. It is careful work, and it is one of the places where a quick job and a good one differ most.
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.
What to watch after repointing
After the work, watch the chimney through the next few heavy rains. Look for new stains inside, fresh grit at the base or any joint that looks cracked or hollow. New mortar may show fine surface lines while it cures, which is worth mentioning.
If anything concerns you, note where and when you saw it. Call us and describe it. The written record shows which areas were repointed, so we can check the work and any other part of the chimney that could be involved.
Repointing work we price area by area
- Joint survey on every chimney face
- Sample area where the finish matters
- Plant growth cut back from the joints
- Cover over any opening left at the top
Chimney joint work, questions and answers
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.
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.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Fireplace RestorationCoordinate fireplace repairs while preserving suitable existing features and defining the intended use.
- Gas Fireplace Repair and ServiceGet a model-specific gas fireplace service plan for the fault you are seeing or the maintenance your unit needs.
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Chimney Sweep and Chimney CleaningArrange careful chimney cleaning in Miami with a defined scope, protected work area and useful findings.
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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