Raking and repointing chimney joints in Three Lakes
Tell us which side of the chimney looks worst, and we start the assessment there.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Clues that the chimney mortar is failing
- Earlier repointing popping out in strips
- Plants rooting in the mortar joints
- Stepped cracks following the mortar lines
- Caulk pushed into open joints
Jump to
From raking to tooling, the repointing sequence
Why new mortar looks brighter at first
Even a well-matched mortar looks a little different when it is new. Federal preservation guidance explains that old mortar has weathered at the surface, exposing more of its sand, while new mortar has not. The difference usually softens as the new joints weather.
We tell you what to expect so a slight contrast on the day is not a surprise. We match to sheltered, unweathered areas of the original mortar, because that is what the new joints will come to resemble. Patience usually does more than any treatment.
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.
Deciding on joint work after your inspection
There is no charge for the inspection itself. Say yes to the repointing, or any other service on the estimate, before 72 hours have passed since your free inspection. Then 10% comes off the work you book.
Those hours count from your own visit. Use them to read the marked areas, compare the mortar options and put any question to us by phone or in writing. A decision made with the full picture is worth more to both of us than a rushed one.
Why raking chimney joints yourself is risky
Raking joints looks simple and is easy to get wrong. A grinder in inexperienced hands can cut brick edges and head joints, and the damage is permanent. Working on a roof or ladder adds real risk of a fall.
If you want to understand the job first, the free inspection is a safe way to do it. We explain what the joints need and how we would approach them. You can then decide how to proceed, with an accurate picture of the work and its risks.
Before you approve tuckpointing in Three Lakes
- Raking to an even, sound depth
- Separate line for damaged brick units
- Plant growth cut back from the joints
- Upfront price for each repointing area
Questions to ask before repointing
How deep are the old joints raked out?
Deep enough to reach sound mortar, to an even depth that relates to the joint width, as brick industry guidance describes. Shallow raking leaves new mortar too thin to hold, which is one reason earlier repointing sometimes falls out.
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.
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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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