Masonry Repairs
Chimney repointing is the process of carefully removing deteriorated
mortar from the joints of a masonry wall and replacing it with new
mortar that has been intelligently formulated. If done correctly,
repointing protects the building and enhances its historical character.
Improperly done, repointing not only detracts from the appearance of the
wall, but may also cause damage to the historic masonry units
themselves.
To repoint a chimney, it requires all mortar joints to be ground out to a least a 1.5" deep. It is important to have a deep anchor for the new mortar to bond. This also offers longevity to the repointing. Once that is completed, we begin repointing the brickwork of the chimney. Next, we apply the lime-based mortar filling to all mortar joints, which seals all air pockets and voids between the bricks.
This process also adds to its structural strength, and ensures that the new mortar bonds to the brickwork. If not done properly, the repointing will fall out in a few years from the lack of bonding. After all the joints are filled and sit for about an hour, we strike all of the mortar joints to achieve the finished look.