Chimney Tuckpointing | Repointing

Everyone wants to avoid a major chimney rebuilding project. One of the best ways to do that is with a process called tuckpointing or repointing. When our expert masons tuckpoint (or “repoint”) your chimney, they replace damaged areas of mortar with fresh, new mortar.

Ye Olde Brit Chimney Sweep provides tuckpointing services in San Bernardino CA and surrounding areas, Palm Springs CA, and Beaumont CA, as well as Woodcrest CA, Ontario CA, Banning CA, Highland CA, Running Springs CA, Green Valley Lake CA, Cherry Valley CA, Yucaipa CA, and more.

Mortar vs. Bricks

Under normal circumstances, the bricks used to build a chimney will hold up well for decades. Not so with the mortar between the bricks.

Mortar has a much shorter lifespan than bricks, and if the mortar was made from an inferior material or applied incorrectly, the lifespan will be even shorter requiring immediate attention.

You don’t have to be a trained mason to understand the importance of the job mortar performs: without mortar, the bricks would simply be stacked one on top of another, making it very unstable, like a house of cards.

Chimneys become unstable when mortar joints deteriorate. The more deterioration, the more likely the chimney will begin to lean and possibly collapse completely, leading to a costlier fix.

If Mortar Issues Are Neglected

Major problems are sure to happen if damaged or weakened mortar joints are not repaired properly:

• Water intrusion that further deteriorates the mortar joints and begins to damage the bricks
• Moisture inside your flue, which can lead to interior masonry damage, rusting of the fireplace damper, mold growth, and more
• A structurally unsound chimney that begins to lean to one side or collapses and causes roof damage
• Expense out of your pocket to resolve these costly issues

The Tuckpointing Process

All tuckpointing projects begin with a thorough inspection. We want to know the extent of the problem with your chimney’s mortar, and we also want to know if something other than old age caused it so we can fix it correctly.

Chimney mortar can be damaged by lightning strikes, earthquakes, hail storms and other weather events. Recurrent chimney fires can also affect the integrity of the mortar.

The tuckpointing process involves carefully scraping out sections of weak or crumbling mortar to remove all the “loose” materials. We then add a strong new compound, filling in all the sections to look as good as they did when it was new.

Start with a Chimney Inspection

If you’re noticing signs of deteriorated mortar in your chimney, such as crumbling, mortar debris on the roof, or loose bricks within the structure, your first step is to schedule an inspection.

A professional chimney inspection will spot mortar issues and other related and unrelated problems so they can be brought to your attention. It’s not uncommon for chimneys with decaying mortar to experience other types of damage, particularly if many years have passed since the last proper inspection.

Ye Olde Brit is ready to help with all your chimney repair and tuckpointing needs. We’ve served the greater San Bernardino region for more than 30 years, and we know how to keep your chimney safe and working at its best.

Speak with a tuckpointing expert today at (909) 880-2120 or reach out through our handy contact form.