Brick usually outlasts the mortar around it, which is why many chimney masonry repairs start with the joints. Lock Arbor lies within Sanford in Seminole County, and our local, family-owned team repairs chimney brick and mortar for homes there. The inspection is free, and you see a written price for the masonry work before anything is cut out.
When mortar joints wear, crack or wash out, water gets into the body of the chimney. Repointing, also called tuckpointing, removes damaged mortar to a sound depth and packs in new mortar in layers. It restores the joints without rebuilding the chimney. Brick replacement is a separate step, for individual bricks that are cracked, loose or crumbling at the face.
The new mortar has to suit the old brick. Mortar that is harder than the brick around it can push stress and water into the brick itself, so the stronger mix is not automatically the better one. We match the mortar to the existing masonry and keep the color and joint shape close to the original so the repair does not stand out.
Repointing will not straighten a chimney that has shifted. If a section is leaning, cracked right through or loose to the touch, it may need to be taken down and rebuilt, and we will tell you so rather than propose a cheaper patch that cannot hold. From the ground or a window, note missing mortar, bricks with broken faces, white staining and any lean.
Do not pick at loose joints or bricks, and keep people clear of the chimney if pieces have fallen. Weather matters for masonry work. Fresh mortar needs to cure slowly, so heavy rain or strong sun can move the schedule, and we plan around the forecast rather than rushing the joints. Phone (645) 465-4122 to arrange a free inspection in Lock Arbor.
Repointing booked within 72 hours of the inspection is 10% off. The repointing carries our workmanship warranty and our 100% satisfaction guarantee, and the final bill has no hidden fees.
