Chimney repointing and mortar repair across Washington Park
Joint work starts with finding the water that wore the mortar away, not with a trowel.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Clues that the chimney mortar is failing
- Hairline cracks running along the joints
- Damp brick inside the attic by the chimney
- Joints on one face far worse than others
- Thin mortar smeared over old joints
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What good tuckpointing looks like
Clearing dust from the raked chimney joints
Raking leaves dust and loose grains in every joint. New mortar packed onto dust bonds to the dust. Brick industry guidance lists a few ways to clear it, including a stiff brush, oil-free compressed air or a rinse of clean water.
We clean each joint before filling it. Federal preservation guidance favors a rinse with water to carry away the last loose particles. The joints should then be damp but not running with water when the mortar goes in. Clean, damp joints give the new mortar the best chance to bond.
Tooling joints when the mortar is thumbprint hard
The final layer of mortar is tooled once it reaches what brick industry guidance calls thumbprint hardness. A thumb pressed into it leaves a print without mortar sticking to the skin. Tooling at that stage compacts the surface and seals it against the brick.
Tooling too soon drags wet mortar across the brick face. Tooling too late leaves the surface poorly consolidated. We work along the chimney in sections so each area is tooled at the right time, which also helps the joints dry to an even color.
Using the fireplace during joint work
Repointing happens on the outside of the chimney, but the mortar is still curing for a while after it goes in. Heat from a fire warms the masonry around the flue and can dry fresh joints faster than planned.
We tell you whether to hold off on fires during the project and when normal use can resume. The answer depends on where we worked and the mortar used. If an appliance vents into the chimney, tell us before work starts so its flue stays clear throughout.
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.
Your chimney mortar repair scope in writing
- Color and texture match to existing joints
- Sample area where the finish matters
- Cover over any opening left at the top
- Mortar strength kept below the brick
What people ask about chimney mortar
Can you repoint only the worst joints on the chimney?
Sometimes. Where damage is confined, spot repointing can be sensible. Brick industry guidance also suggests repointing every joint in an affected area, because it is hard to tell which joints admit water. We explain the boundary we recommend.
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.
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.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Stone Chimney RepairRepair affected stone chimney surfaces with the supporting construction and visual match considered together.
- Chimney Chase Cover ReplacementReplace the chase top with a properly planned cover and clearly defined pipe connections.
- Chimney RebuildRebuild the affected chimney section with the retained structure, roof connection and passage included in the plan.
- Chimney Masonry RepairRepair affected chimney brickwork and joints with materials selected for the construction already in place.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo