Westchester Tuckpointing Professionals

As a home improvement company that works in the Westchester area, there really isn't anything we can't do. And when it comes down to it, we may specialize in working with chimneys. No matter the time of season, issues with your chimney may arise. So it is best to stay on top of it at all times. This holds especially true for the mortar, which typically only lasts about 25 years. And when you need to repair the mortar for your fireplace, you need professional tuckpointing.

Tuckpointing is simply the repair procedure for mortar. During this repair, you are replacing old mortar with new mortar for your chimney and/or fireplace. The crumbling mortar is ground out to a certain depth and we replace it with new mortar. Our professionals have the skills and experience to identify the scope of the job that needs to be done and to produce results that will last.

The Importance of Tuckpointing

Once the mortar begins to deteriorate, then moisture can leak into the chimney system. Then in the winter, these leaks freeze and turn to ice, which can cause your brick, stone, and cement masonry to eventually break apart. And if this deterioration is not handled soon, then the entire chimney may become compromised!

And other issues may arise as well, which tuckpointing can fix. So it is important to make sure that you look for these issues before they become a bigger problem. Do not let this issue prolong!

Before and After Tuckpointing Benefits

There are distinct and important benefits to tuckpointing your chimney when the mortar is older and weak. Here are the most common benefits of tuckpointing when you turn to our professional chimney team for the service:

  • Stops the process of corrosion.
  • When mortar deteriorates over time, moisture gets into the chimney. This moisture infiltrations causes the stone or brick masonry to eventually break apart. What tuckpointing does is extend the life of the chimney by providing a more waterproof mortar joint.
  • Tuckpointing will restore the structural stability of the chimney. If these weakened mortar joints are not properly repaired, then you may eventually need a full chimney rebuild. Pricey!
  • As just mentioned, it saves you money to repair your chimney as opposed to rebuilding. So do not think you are saving money by delaying the inevitable and spending MORE money.
  • When done correctly, tuckpointing acts as a defense against moisture. Besides damaging the chimney itself, moisture also causes problems, such as mildew, mold, wood rot, and more.
  • We can restore the original aesthetic beauty of your chimney.
  • When your chimney is in good condition, the value of your home increases. So if you decide to move, then the chimney is not a liability.

Important Signs for Chimney Masonry Repair

For those that need tuckpointing for their chimney masonry repair, there are some easy to see signs of deteriorating mortar. The easiest sign to see is flaking. Weakened mortar will lead to moisture getting into the brick or stone masonry. When this happens, the masonry will flake or pop off as a result, which you will easily be able to see. You can also test your mortar to make sure you are seeing what you are seeing. You can do this by rubbing a key across the mortar. If a powdered material is scratched up, then it’s time to repair your masonry. When masonry is still doing its job of keeping moisture out, dragging a key across it won’t cause any scratching. Of course, if you are not sure of what you are seeing, we will come down and inspect.

Step-by-Step Tuckpointing

Tuckpointing is a process that involves routing out damaged and old mortar and replacing it with fresh, new mortar. When the job is done correctly, the original shape of the bricks and mortar is recreated. So you get the same looking fireplace and chimney, except with new, safer mortar. Here is a quick overview of the steps for tuckpointing:

  • Ground out older mortar to a uniform depth.
  • Slide in mortar in the newly grouted grooves with a trowel.
  • Cut thin strips down the middle to form grooves in the mortar.
  • Use paint tint to match the mortar color on the outside of the chimney.
  • Fill in the grooves with new mortar.

Contact Us For More Information

Guaranteed Home Improvement has years of experience working in the Westchester area and offer affordable chimney masonry repair. Or as it is also known as: tuckpointing. Tuckpointing offers many great benefits for your chimney that also lead to its longevity. For more information about our vast chimney services, please reach out to us today.

Get CHIMNEY SERVICE ESTIMATE

We will happily answer any questions or concerns you may have about our services. When you reach out to us, we can discuss the issue with you and once we have an understanding of the situation, we can provide you with a fair and accurate estimate for the work.