A Guide To Brick Mortar Repair

Have you noticed cracks developing in your chimney’s bricks starting to come loose? Maybe you have noticed a large zigzag pattern running in between the bricks. Maybe you have found bricks on the ground, completely dislodged from the chimney. Any of these signs mean there is potential damage to the mortar that holds the bricks in place. With that in mind here is a guide to brick-mortar repair. 

What are the Causes of Brick or Mortar Damage?

The causes of damage to your chimney’s bricks or mortar can range from the simple to the complex. Let’s take a closer look at some of the more frequent causes of mortar damage.

Physical Damage

Falling tree limbs, poor construction, someone backing a vehicle into your chimney, and more are all types of physical damage that can damage your bricks and mortar.

Weather

The weather is a frequent cause of mortar damage. Tuckpointing is often the recommended solution when weather-related wear starts to compromise the integrity of the mortar. When the brick or mortar absorbs moisture over time and undergoes freeze-thaw cycles, it can break down the mortar. Large hail striking the mortar is another type of weather phenomenon that can damage bricks or mortar. Being exposed to the sun over the years can directly degrade bricks or mortar and cause them to crumble. Weather combined with time are the two biggest factors in your chimney’s mortar breaking down.

Structural Integrity

Ground shifting under a chimney can cause mortar to crack and bricks to come loose. Sometimes a foundation settling can cause damage to chimney mortar, and of course, earthquakes can cause extensive structural damage to a chimney.

What Happens When Mortar or Bricks Breaks Down?

Loose and Missing Bricks

The purpose of mortar is to hold bricks in place, it is only logical that when mortar deteriorates they would become loose or fall out. A chimney where the bricks are loose and missing will potentially collapse which could lead to damage to your home or injury to your family. 

Poor Heating

The mortar in your chimney acts as a type of insulation. When there are substantial cracks in the mortar heat that would have been transferred into your home instead will escape. Because of insufficient heating from your fireplace, your power bills will be higher.

Water Damage

As the mortar on your chimney ages, it becomes baked by the sun. Over time, the mortar takes on a sponge-like qualities and absorbs water, doing damage during the freeze-thaw cycle. Repeated expansion and contraction of mortar will break it down and loosen bricks.

Cracks in your bricks or mortar are an obvious problem when it comes to water damage. Cracks in your chimney’s bricks or mortar will let water find its way in, and it could potentially damage your roof, ceiling, and walls as well.

Decreased Resale Value

When you have cracked bricks and crumbling mortar while you are attempting to sell your home, you are essentially telling any buyer they must pay to have the mortar repaired. Such a scenario can significantly decrease the asking price of your home.

Get Professional Chimney Sweeps to Repair Your Chimney

Repairing the damaged mortar in your chimney through a process such as tuckpointing, or replacing bricks that have fallen out because of crumbling mortar requires skill and experience. You don’t have the training or know-how to repair the mortar in your chimney and will end up causing more damage than good. 

They will start by inspecting the mortar, removing the damaged mortar, and applying new mortar with a trowel. If there are cracked or crumbling bricks, they will be removed with the old mortar.

Felgemacher Masonry and Chimney is the Brick and Mortar Authority

You can trust Felgemacher Masonry and Chimney because of our over sixty years of experience repairing damaged mortar. Not enough? We are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), so we have the credentials to get the job done as well. Contact us today if you have crumbling mortar or cracked bricks. We will gladly discuss setting up a time for inspection. Don’t ignore damaged mortar or bricks any longer, contact us today.