Chimney Services
Chimney mortar repair in Geneva, in detail
Mortar conditions that call for repointing
Five conditions warrant repointing, according to Brick Industry Association Technical Note 46: mortar eroded more than 1/4 inch deep, crumbling mortar, voids in the mortar, hairline cracks within the mortar and cracks where brick meets mortar. Each of them can let moisture into the masonry.
During the free inspection we check each face of the chimney for those conditions, from the lowest visible course to the courses under the crown. Joints that are only weathered on the surface can often stay. Joints that are open, hollow or soft are marked for repointing and included in the written estimate.
Prehydrating the repointing mortar
Repointing mortar is mixed differently from the mortar used to lay brick. The dry ingredients are combined first, then just enough water is added for the mix to hold its shape when squeezed into a ball. After it rests for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, more water brings it to a consistency that is still drier than laying mortar.
Technical Notes 8B and 46 both describe this prehydration step, and the reason is shrinkage. A drier, rested mortar packs tightly into the joint and shrinks less as it sets, which means fewer hairline gaps along the brick edges. It adds time to the job, and it belongs in the job.
Repointing an affected area, not scattered joints
Picking out only the worst joints can leave the next weakest ones letting water in. Technical Note 46 notes that it may be difficult to tell which joints allow moisture through and advises repointing all the mortar joints in the affected wall area.
That does not mean the whole chimney every time. Our specialists define the affected area on each face, show you where it starts and stops, and price it that way. If a face is sound apart from a few joints, we say so and price the smaller repair.
Chimney tuckpointing for a home sale
Home inspection reports often mention deteriorated or missing chimney mortar in a single line. That line can stall a sale when nobody knows how large the repair is or what it should cost to put right.
Which joints need repointing is confirmed at a free inspection, and the written scope gives the joint area, the method and the price. Buyers, sellers and agents can all read the same document, and the work can be scheduled around a closing date when the calendar allows.
