What You Need To Know About Tuckpointing

The amazing thing about a brick structure is that the bricks can last over 100 years. But, the mortar that holds the bricks and building together will only last twenty to thirty years. Knowing this, yes there will be some maintenance needed to prolong the life of your building. You should be able to see issues such as crumbling or cracking of the mortar. Keep an eye on your chimney and home. Bricks used in the structure and chimney may have cracks in the mortar. You will need to repair this. Tuckpointing is the process of correcting the crumbling or cracking mortar. Clearing away the old mortar and replacing it with new mortar.

How To Know When I Need To Tuckpointing?

A visual test is all you need to know if you need to tuckpoint. Correcting the crumbling and cracking is essential to the life of your chimney. A good way to know that it is time to call Mercer County Chimney Services. Use a screwdriver and gently scratch the mortar. If the mortar scratches or flakes off, you will want to get a professional to do some tuckpointing.

The Process

As you can imagine, tuckpointing can be very time-consuming and labor-intensive. Hiring a trained and well-informed professional to tackle this is important. With experience comes the knowledge of how deep to go with the cleaning out and inserting mortar. The proper mortar is important. The mortar has to be compatible with the brinks on your structure. With proper tuckpointing, your chimney will last for many years to come. The integrity of the chimney will benefit from this process.

Don’t Overlook Some Crumbling

It is important to contact us when you see some crumbling or cracking. An inspection can prevent a very costly improvement. Cracks and crumbling may mean that there is a deeper problem. Repairing these cracks with tuckpointing early on will benefit you in the long run. Water can enter your chimney or home through small hairline cracks. Keeping on top of this can prevent major repairs in the future. Deterioration is a concern if you let the mortar go too long with cracks or crumbling. The longer you wait the more damage can and will occur. Over time water will seep in and damage not only the structure of the chimney but also the structure of your home. Water is unpredictable and can flow through cracks into your home. Causing not only mortar damage but damage to walls and ceilings.

Don’t wait until you see issues. Get that inspection once a year.

If the mortar between your bricks looks like it is crumbling, call us to correct the situation. We’re a family-owned chimney and fireplace company, proudly serving residents throughout Hamilton, NJ, and Mercer County. Our technicians are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fireplace Institute, so you can trust our work is safe and accurate. Book your appointment today by calling 609–802–5288 or filling out our online form.