Our Services
Brick and mortar details from our Kolokee masons
Worth reading before you sign off on masonry work in Kolokee.
Cutting out old mortar to the right depth
On a repair that includes joint work, the old mortar comes out before new mortar goes in. National Park Service guidance calls for removal to at least two to two and a half times the joint width, which for most brick joints works out to about half an inch to an inch, plus any loose mortar beyond that.
Shallow patching over crumbling mortar tends to fall out within a few seasons. The same guidance warns that power saws on thin brick joints almost always chip the brick edges, so our masons rely on hand tools and closely controlled equipment next to the brick. Joint-only jobs are booked as their own service; this step matters here when a crack repair crosses worn joints.
Hairline cracks in mortar joints
Not every crack needs cutting out. For fine hairline cracks in otherwise sound mortar, the Brick Industry Association describes face grouting, where a fluid grout is worked into the crack to seal it against water.
There is a visible trade-off. Grouted joints look slightly wider and smoother because the sand in the mortar no longer shows. We point that out before recommending it, and where the joints are worn deeper than a hairline, we price proper joint repair instead. Either way you choose with the difference explained, and the inspection that finds it costs nothing.
Checking your chimney between visits
The Brick Industry Association suggests inspecting brick masonry periodically, preferably each season, using binoculars or a nearby roof area to see high brickwork up close. It also notes that chimneys, sills and copings face harsher exposure and may need repairs sooner than the walls below them.
From the ground you can watch for new cracks, missing mortar, white staining and brick faces that have flaked away. Indoors, look for stains on the ceiling or wall beside the chimney. If anything changes, call us with what you noticed and when. A follow-up inspection is free, and it often catches a problem while it is still small.
