Chimney Tuckpointing Explained
Does your home have a chimney? If so, do you know what chimney tuckpointing or repointing service is? If you don’t, you’re not alone. Lots of chimney owners have no clue what tuckpointing is and why it is important for the functionality of your chimney and fireplace.
What is Tuckpointing?
Tuckpoint services are an important part of a reliable chimney. These services are necessary because over time the joints start to deteriorate although the bricks will still be good. The joints are what holds your bricks and chimney together. Also commonly known as repointing, tuckpointing is where a professional chimney week company like Chimney Specialists Inc. performs a cut out of the mortar joint between the masonry. After the removal of the old mortar, the joints are cleaned and refilled with fresh mortar. It is recommended to have this done every 20 to 30 years. If you’ve recently purchased a home, or have lived in your home for decades and have never had this done, we recommend you give your local chimney sweep company a call. And if you’re local to Wisconsin, give us a call and we can get your tuckpointing service booked immediately.
How to Tell if You Need Tuckpointing Services
Your chimney will give you some pretty obvious signs when it is time for repointing. Here are some of the most common symptoms of chimney deterioration that means you need tuckpointing:
- Color changing: when your mortar starts to deteriorate it will change color. Fresh and well-functioning mortar is often a bright beige. If you have noticed that the mortar has begun to darken, it is a sign that it needs to be replaced.
- Flaking or peeling: deteriorating mortar will begin to flake or peel and is very easy to notice. Whenever mortar starts to separate from the bricks, it means that it is no longer able to support them. If mortar is too weak to hold itself together, it definitely cannot hold your bricks properly.
- Rusty fireplace: your fireplace can be subjected to an increase of moisture when the mortar needs to be tuckpointed. Crumbling mortar is more likely to allow moisture through and that will cause your fireplace and damper to rust. If you’re seeing these issues, it is time to call your chimney sweep.
Crack in the chimney: without well-functioning mortar, your chimney’s bricks are more likely to become cracked. Even small cracks can let in water or threaten the overall chimney structure. Although cracks can be caused by a number of reasons, faulty mortar can be one of those.
Also, if you see odd or new symptoms near or with your bricks, a tuckpointing service can be exactly what you need.
Need an Inspection?
Tuckpointing is just one option that you have as a homeowner to get your mortar in good shape. There are several services that the chimney sweeps at CSI can perform to keep your chimney in good condition year-round. Give us a call today at 608-929-4887 to schedule a chimney inspection today.
