Our Process
How chimney joints are repointed in Gabriella
Cleaning each joint before new mortar goes in
Dust and loose grit left in a joint sit between the old masonry and the new mortar and weaken the bond. Technical Note 46 asks for all dust and debris to be removed by brushing, oil-free compressed air or rinsing, and for taking thin slivers of old mortar off the brick so the new mortar bonds to clean surfaces.
The Park Service brief adds that the cut should leave square corners at the back of the joint. Those details are slow and invisible afterwards, which is exactly why they are worth asking about. On your Gabriella chimney they are part of the scope we describe before any work is approved.
Matching mortar color on a repointed chimney
Mortar color comes mainly from the sand and any pigment in the mix. Technical Note 46 recommends comparing new mortar samples with the existing joints both wetted and fully dry, since mortar changes shade as it dries, and it calls for metallic oxide pigments rather than organic colorants.
Where only part of a chimney is repointed, color is what the eye catches. We compare samples against your joints before work begins and show you the one we plan to use. A slight difference at first is normal, because new mortar is matched to unweathered mortar while the old joints have aged in the weather.
Chimney cracks that point to movement
Some cracks come from the chimney moving rather than the mortar wearing. A crack that steps diagonally through several courses, runs through brick as well as joints or keeps widening is a different problem, and Technical Note 46 places structural cracks outside ordinary maintenance, calling for professional investigation of the cause.
Filling those cracks with new mortar would hide the symptom for a while and leave the cause in place. When our specialists see signs of movement on a chimney in Gabriella, we explain what we found, and the options may include rebuilding part of the stack. Tuckpointing is recommended only where the masonry is stable.
Booking chimney tuckpointing
Tuckpointing is planned work, and it begins with a free inspection where the joints are assessed, the mortar is chosen and the area is measured. The repointing itself is then scheduled for suitable weather, and larger areas can take more than one day.
An inspection the same day is possible when the schedule allows, and the written estimate is in your hands before any cutting starts. Confirm the work with our family-owned team within 72 hours of the inspection and it is 10% off.
