All That You Need To Know About Tuckpointing Chimneys

The chimney needs regular maintenance and repair to control the damage due to water absorption.

Tuckpointing contractors in Chicago have for long stressed upon the need for regular repair of the chimney. A good tuckpointing expert will be able to strengthen the mortar joints and give it a new lease of life.

Let’s look at it in detail.

1. Is It Really Necessary?

The bricks do last a lifetime, but sadly the mortar doesn’t, at the most, 25 years or less, depending on the weather condition. Sometimes just by installing a cricket, the chimney does not have the face the full impact of the rains. A cricket is a diversion for the water. If mortar damage is not identified on time, the homeowner will have to collapse the chimney and re-build it. Hence, repair on time is a much cheaper option.

2. How is it done?

Experts in brick repair Park Ridge suggest that the damaged material should be completed removed. They follow simple four steps -

• Removal of mortar at an even depth.
• Filling the gaps with new mortar.
• Thin strips are cut in the middle of the mortar in the form of grooves.
• The grooves are filled with a color that matches the original mortar color.

3. The Real Benefits

Tuckpointing will prolong the life of the chimney and make your fireplace more usable. It will stop the damage and tear of the joints in the mortar. The structure will be more stable and stand straight. The water will not be able to enter once the joints are sealed. It is much cheaper than rebuilding the whole thing again. Masonry in good condition adds value to your home.