When Will I Require the Services of a Chimney Repointer?
If you have seen that your chimney is starting to decay but that the bricks themselves are in good condition, chimney repointing can be the best answer for you. The procedure of repointing a chimney, which is also often referred to as tuckpointing, involves changing the outermost portion of the mortar that is used to hold the bricks of the chimney in place. To put it another way, it is the process of replenishing the part of the mortar joints that is exposed to the outside. When repointing, the outermost layer of the mortar is where most of the attention is focused because this is the part of the mortar that is directly exposed to the elements, which can cause cracking.
The prevention of water leaks is one of the primary goals of repointing, which ultimately results in cost savings of many thousand dollars that would have been incurred had the chimney been rebuilt instead. In addition, it gives the chimney an updated and modern appearance while simultaneously improving its safety, stability, and strength.
The following is a list of symptoms that should alert you to the need for repointing:
The color of the mortar has shifted. It is possible for mortar to change color if it has been worn or has begun to deteriorate. If you have noticed that the color of the mortar has changed from what it was in the past, this should raise some concerns. You need to get in touch with a chimney inspector as soon as possible so that they may examine the chimney’s bricks and assess whether or not repointing is the most effective approach.
Flaking mortar. It is possible for the mortar to start flaking off if it is old and brittle. It is an indication that the mortar cannot hold itself together anymore and is unable to keep the parts of a chimney from falling apart.
a damper and fireboxes that had developed rust. Dampers and fireboxes both have the potential to rust if there is an excessive amount of moisture. This almost always indicates that there is water in the chimney. It is time to arrange a chimney inspection if you have observed rust on your firebox or damper. This will allow you to determine what the precise problem is and how to fix it.
Cracks. Cracks of any size, especially those that are small, should be avoided at all costs since they allow water to enter a chimney and cause damage. In addition, even little fissures might pose a danger to the chimney’s structural integrity. In the event that you discover cracks in your chimney, you should get it inspected as soon as humanly feasible.
Wallpaper that has been damaged. If there is an excessive amount of moisture in your chimney, the wallpaper in the surrounding areas may get discolored and ruined.
Brickwork that is crumbling apart. In addition to this, it is caused by moisture, which is doing havoc on the brick construction. Repointing the chimney must be done as soon as possible in order to lessen the likelihood of it collapsing.
If you choose to disregard these warnings and put off repointing the mortar on the chimney, the bricks will eventually become unattached. In the event that this occurs, they will have to be rebuilt. In addition, the mortar that holds the bricks together may start to deteriorate, which will allow water to seep between the bricks, so causing the bricks to deteriorate even worse.
What Can You Expect to See During the Repointing Process for Your Chimney?
The method starts off with removing the damaged mortar in the first step. In most cases, the breadth of the joint is equal to or slightly more than the depth that is reduced. In order to protect an older home from further deterioration, repointing is typically performed by hand.
How Often Does Repointing Have to Be Done?
If the repointing of a chimney has been done properly, it should not require additional repointing for at least thirty years.
If you suspect that your chimney or fireplace is having some issues, have an expert inspect it. Call Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today. We also offer Chimney Cleaning Gridley and other affordable services.