Pointing

A masonry fireplace is a popular and beautiful addition to any home, but it’s more than a great design feature. Bricks in a chimney can last a hundred years; but it makes sense, when you think about it, that mortar isn’t nearly as durable. Mortar can last about 25 years, depending on weather conditions and how much moisture the chimney is exposed to, based on its position on the rooftop. Harsh weather can be tough on the mortar joints. When mortar joints are damaged, the chimney could begin to lean or could completely collapse. Even rock masonry can become damaged, due to excess moisture caused by deteriorating mortar joints. Ultimately, moisture in the chimney causes a large variety of problems, inside and outside of the home, which can be expensive to repair and which can render a chimney unsafe to use until those repairs are made. Many times “re-pointing” or replacing damaged mortar joints between masonry material, can put a stop to the destructive process. Whatever the conditions, mortar on a masonry chimney/wall eventually needs to be replaced, which is achieved by re-point.

Other benefits of performing needed re-point on chimneys/stone walls:

• Re-point provides structural stability to your chimney. When mortar joints are not repaired, the
chimney weakens and begins to lean or even collapse.
• The chimney will be restored to its original aesthetic beauty.
• Re-point achieves waterproofing of your chimney because damaged mortar joints allow water to enter
the chimney system and ultimately into your home. You may not be able to see it, but excess water in
the chimney causes wood root, mold, mildew, and other types of damage.
• This procedure is far more cost-effective than a complete fireplace tear-down and rebuild. Re-point
allows you to avoid the expense of completely replacing the chimney structure.
• When you repair the damaged mortar joints, you increase the value of your home.
• The masonry materials on your chimney are restored to their original condition.