Chimney Tuckpointing / Repointing Service – What is it?
From a distance, your masonry chimney may appear to be in good condition, but when you take a closer look at the bricks and mortar, a different story emerges. Weather can have a devastating effect on chimney masonry structures, especially here in the Hudson Valley region. The region experiences more precipitation than the national average, with an average of 42 inches of rain and 43 inches of snow annually. As a result, a white stain known as efflorescence may appear on the masonry surface in the Spring, indicating that the moisture has penetrated deep inside the masonry drawing the salts to the surface. Unfortunately, many homeowners may not realize that efflorescence is a sign that the masonry is absorbing water.
As the precipitation erodes the mortar joints, water will seep through the gaps affecting nearby bricks and eventually leak inside the chimney. The absorbed moisture freezes and thaws during the winter, and the bricks and mortar crack, chip, and spall from the ever-expanding ice crystals. The masonry damage incrementally worsens with every season, slowly reducing the chimney’s structural integrity. Eventually, you may notice wider gaps in the mortar joints and pieces of masonry lying on the ground. If left unrepaired, entire blocks of bricks may loosen and separate from the chimney leading to a partial or complete collapse.
What is Chimney Tuckpointing?
Chimney tuckpointing or repointing is a restorative process where a professional chimney mason scoops out the decaying mortar and fills the joints with a new, durable bonding material. Damaged or missing bricks are also repaired. Finally, the repointing is color-matched to the remainder of the chimney, making it look as good as new.
When Does Your Chimney Need Tuckpointing?
If you notice decaying/eroding mortar, masonry stains or discoloration, gaps in the mortar joints, water leaks, or cracked or spalling bricks, our tuckpointing/repointing service can repair the damage and prevent it from escalating. Since tuckpointing can be tedious when large sections of the masonry are deteriorating, the sooner you make the repairs, the better it will be for your chimney. When the masonry damage is severe, a partial or complete chimney rebuild may be necessary to restore the chimney’s structural integrity.
Benefits of a Chimney Tuckpointing/ Repointing Service
A chimney tuckpointing or repointing service offers many benefits:
Stops moisture intrusion: Tuckpointing replaces the decaying mortar joints with new mortar, effectively preventing masonry deterioration in its tracks, keeping rainwater out of the chimney system.
Restores structural integrity: Tuckpointing repairs spalling or damaged bricks and gaps in the mortar joints strengthening the chimney’s structural integrity and prolonging its lifespan.
It’s Like a New Chimney: Skilled masons carefully restore the masonry brick by brick color matching the repointing to give the chimney a like-new appearance.
Chimney Tuckpointing/Repointing Service in the Hudson Valley
The Certified Chimney Professionals and Master Chimney Technicians at Hudson Valley Chimney provide professional chimney tuckpointing/repointing services in Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, and throughout the Hudson Valley, NY region. Call our office to schedule a chimney inspection today!
