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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT TUCKPOINTING YOUR CHIMNEY
Tuckpointing is the process of repairing the mortar between bricks or stones in a masonry structure. It involves removing damaged or deteriorated mortar from between the bricks or stones and replacing it with fresh mortar. Tuckpointing is important for several reasons, especially when it comes to the chimney.
Chimneys are an essential part of any home with a fireplace or wood stove. They are designed to vent smoke and gases from the fire out of the home, keeping the occupants safe and healthy. Over time, however, the mortar between the bricks or stones in a chimney can become damaged or deteriorated, which can cause a variety of problems. One of the most significant problems caused by deteriorating mortar in a chimney is water infiltration. Water can seep through the cracks and gaps in the mortar, causing damage to the chimney and potentially causing water damage to the home’s interior. Water can also freeze inside the chimney during the winter months, which can cause the bricks or stones to crack or break apart.
Tuckpointing services are necessary to prevent these problems from occurring. By repairing the mortar in a chimney, tuckpointing can help prevent water from seeping into the chimney and causing damage. It can also help prevent hot gases and sparks from escaping through cracks in the mortar, reducing the risk of fire.
Tuckpointing can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process, depending on the size and condition of the chimney. However, it is a necessary process to keep the chimney in good condition and prevent potential problems. In addition to repairing the mortar in a chimney, tuckpointing can also help improve the overall appearance of the chimney. Over time, the mortar in a chimney can become discolored or stained, which can detract from the chimney’s appearance. Tuckpointing repair can help restore the chimney’s original appearance, making it look new again.
Is Tuckpointing Necessary?
While bricks on a chimney last about a century, mortar has a much shorter lifespan. Depending on how exposed the masonry is to excess water and other harsh conditions, mortar lasts about 25 years. It’s sometimes highly recommended that homeowners install a cricket, which is a compact diversion roof that prevents the chimney from being deluged in rainy weather. The layout of the roof and the position of the chimney affect how much or little water drainage contributes to erosion of the mortar joints.
Signs that your chimney needs tuckpointing
You can expect your chimney to last a lifetime, but can you expect it to function the same way as before? No matter how much you deny it, chimneys need repairs, too! You might never notice it because some broken chimneys do not show signs of their brokenness, so a chimney inspection should be done regularly. Otherwise, significant problems may occur.
Flaking Chimney Bricks
Mortar flakes could be the first sign that you need to have your chimney replaced. Flaking is a sign of soft mortar which may not be able to hold the chimney together. If you are not sure of this, you may do a test scrape on your chimney mortar. Does it quickly come off? If yes, then your chimney might need some repairing.
Aged mortar
Using the same bricks and mortar for a couple of decades might be a sign that your chimney is in dire need of repair. You need to have it tuckpointed to guarantee that your chimney structure stays intact.
Cracking chimney crown
The top of your chimney might be overlooked, but it deserves regular inspections. Addressing cracked chimney crowns would be recommended to avoid further damage to mortar joints and others. If it is neglected, the unprotected crack will keep expanding.
Bricks falling off the chimney
Your chimney must be breaking if you see blocks of bricks in your yard; if left unrepaired, your whole chimney might fall onto the ground. This can be fixed by replacing them with fresh mortar and bricks. Waterproofing it by adding waterproof sealant should prevent this from happening again.
Your chimney mortar joints are damaged
If the one holding your chimney together gets damaged, what do you think would happen? If this is left neglected, it will cause water to get inside, worsening the damage. You can get it fixed by tuckpointing; it restores masonry mortar joints between bricks.
What are the benefits of chimney tuckpointing?
Chimneys are very pleasing to look at, but it is also a huge homeowner’s responsibility. Once the duty is neglected, your chimney could cause a major problem. However, chimney repairs like tuckpointing could do some damage control. Tuckpointing might be a hassle, time-demanding, and expensive procedure, but you might know that there are functional benefits you will get to experience after tuckpointing.
Moisture leak-free
An old chimney is vulnerable to moisture which leads water to seep down to its core. But with tuckpointing, there will be no mold, mildew, and rotting wood to worry about. Your walls and ceilings will also not be stained and damaged.
Rebuilding costs more
If you left your chimney not taken care of, add chimney rebuilding to your to-do list now, which costs more. If you don’t have the privilege to rebuild your whole chimney, you may opt for tuckpointing.
Stability of the structure
When you tuckpoint your chimney, expect that its structure will be more stable. Otherwise, your chimney might collapse if it’s leaning to one side. Moreover, it could also prevent your mortar from further worsening.
Increased home value
After the tuckpointing, your chimney is in its top condition, which will result in increased curb appeal. Homeowners are looking for a house where they can sit with ease in the fireplace without worrying about the chimney. With tuckpointing, your home will be much safer and better looking.
Prolonged lifespan
After the tuckpointing process, the original condition of your chimney’s masonry materials is guaranteed restored. With that, your chimney can live longer, especially when it’s done right. It will be more efficient that it can even provide water-resistant mortar joints.