The Benefits of Tuck-Pointing to Repair a Chimney
Depending on the conditions fireplace masonry can last more than two decades. If a brick fireplace has repeatedly been subjected to rain and snow, it has most likely been impacted and on a path of destruction. Fireplace masonry that is cracked, crumbling, or falling should be fixed as soon as possible. Damage to brick fireplaces is often caused by moisture that has penetrated the masonry and frozen and thawed. When water freezes it expands and damages the brick and mortar. When the water thaws it moves the moisture deeper into the brick, which is dangerous to the structure and soundness of the whole chimney.
Chimney sweeps from Complete Chimneys provide brick repair in Annapolis, MD, with tuck-pointing, which is a cost-effective repair process that stops the destruction of the masonry. The process of tuck-pointing begins by removing the damaged mortar and replacing it with fresh mortar. The steps involved in tuck-pointing are:
- Removing the old mortar at a uniform depth.
- Filling in red mortar in the old grooves.
- Forming grooves by cutting thin strips down the middle of the red mortar.
- Filling in the grooves with a mortar color that matches the mortar on the outside of the structure.
Once tuck-pointing is completed, the appearance and stability of the chimney are like new. Tuck-pointing preserves the life of your chimney and provides the following benefits:
- Stopping corrosion of the mortar joints.
- Stabilizing the chimney structure.
- Preventing water from seeping into the chimney.
- Being more affordable than rebuilding a new chimney.
- Improving the value of your home.
