Mortar joints are the sacrificial part of a brick chimney. They are softer than the brick on purpose, so that movement and weather wear the mortar instead of cracking the units. Over decades, especially above the roofline where the chimney is fully exposed, the mortar recedes, cracks and eventually falls out. Once joints are open, water enters the wall and freeze-thaw begins prying the bricks apart.
Repointing, also called tuckpointing, is the repair for that. Asset Roofing & Chimney grinds or chisels out the deteriorated mortar to a sound depth, cleans the joint, and packs it with fresh mortar matched to the strength, color and profile of the original. Done correctly, repointing restores the weather seal and the structural bond without disturbing bricks that are still in good condition.
The right time to repoint is when joints are receding but the brick is still intact. Wait too long and spalling begins, bricks loosen, and the top of the chimney needs to be taken down and rebuilt. If you can see dark shadow lines where the joints used to be flush, or sandy mortar is collecting on the roof below the chimney, it is time to have it looked at.
What chimney repointing from Asset includes
- Assessment of joint condition across the full chimney, not just the visible side
- Grinding or raking out failed mortar to a sound depth
- Cleaning and dampening the joints before repacking
- Mortar matched to the original in strength, color and joint profile
- Replacement of individual spalled or cracked bricks encountered during the work
- Tooling the joints to shed water and match the existing finish
- Cleanup of mortar dust and debris from the roof and gutters
