Tuckpointing Services

Hudson Valley Chimney offers expert tuck-pointing services. When mortar on a chimney begins to fail, tuck-pointing is the best way to restore structural integrity and keep moisture out. A masonry chimney is an oft-neglected feature of the home. Few people realize that although bricks and stone may last for a century or much longer, the mortar that holds masonry together and protects it from moisture usually lasts about 25 years, maximum.

Once mortar starts crumbling and flaking off, the entire chimney system becomes vulnerable. The intrusion of water can destroy masonry. After the water inside bricks or stone has gone through repeated expanding and contracting that occurs during freeze and thaw cycles, the masonry will start breaking off, along with the mortar. Eventually, if repairs aren’t made, the chimney will begin to lean. Sometimes, at that point, it may be too late to cut costs with tuck-pointing services; and then a much-more-expensive teardown and chimney rebuild is often required.

Problems associated with deteriorating mortar

It is essential to contact the professionals at Hudson Valley Chimney as soon as deterioration of the mortar on your chimney is detected. Only by acting quickly will you be able to prevent escalation of the problem. Major structural damage can occur, when damaged masonry begins to break apart. Leaning, sagging, and buckling chimneys can cause the following problems and more:

• Bricks could easily tumble off the roof and cause damage to property and possibly injure someone.
• Rain and snow can seep into the masonry, causing extensive water damage.
• Insects and other vermin can enter your home through exposed cracks.
• Noxious combustion gases and smoke could leak into your home, creating a potentially deadly risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

What does tuck-pointing involve?

Tuck-pointing is a process that involves scraping out worn, ineffective mortar and replacing it with fresh mortar. This technique has been around since the 1800s. In the early days, the primary purpose of tuck-pointing was to give uneven, inexpensive bricks the more aesthetically pleasing, precisely aligned appearance of “rubbed” bricks.

Today, there are various ways to repair deteriorating mortar joints. The process has several names that mean the same thing, including “point,” “repoint,” and “tuck-point.” The important detail a homeowner needs to know is that the chimney professionals entrusted with the task of tuck-pointin g know what they are doing. A substandard job of repointing chimney mortar can eventually result in devaluating of your home, as future problems arise.

Benefits of tuck-pointing

xOnce a chimney expert has repointed a chimney, the original condition of the bricks and mortar is recreated. The chimney is again protected from moisture. Waterproofing of the chimney is recommended, as an extra layer of protection. The primary benefit of tuck-pointing is that it saves homeowners a significant amount of money, since eventually rebuilding a collapsing chimney is the only other option.

The chimney technicians at Hudson Valley Chimney have the training required to perform quality chimney services, including tuck-pointing and chimney rebuilding. The courteous technicians from Hudson who handle your chimney repairs will be CSIA-certified professionals who will get the job done right the first time. If you need to schedule a chimney inspection or cleaning or if tuck-pointing services are needed, don’t hesitate to contact us at (800) 439-1071.