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Tuckpointing 101 | Chimney Masonry Maintenance

Chimneys are a focal point to both the inside and outside of your home. That’s exactly why it’s important to maintain the wellbeing of your chimney. Structural checkups and inspections, as well as chimney sweeps are both things that should be kept up with annually. If a chimney professional does find wear and tear or deterioration of your brick or mortar, a method called Tuckpointing may be used. Let’s take a closer look at what exactly this is.

masonry repairs in Seneca NYWhat is Tuckpointing?

This is a common repair method used on brickwork. Because of this it is a common method for chimney structures. It’s a simple but very effective method to give your structure an update. Tuckpointing removes old, deteriorating mortar and replaces it with new mortar. Not only does this look new and fresh, it also contributes to maintain a structurally sound chimney.

How Often Should Homeowners Perform Tuckpointing?

Tuckpointing isn’t something that needs to be performed often. In fact, it only needs to be performed if there appears to be deteriorating mortar. How might you notice this? This can be determined at your annual inspection. But as a homeowner, you can also check by running a sharp object over your mortar and seeing if a fine powder is produced. If you see loose bricks, this is also a sign some work may be needed.

Chimney professionals recommend tuckpointing 20-25 years after original build. After this, you may see more frequent tuckpointing needed. This doesn’t mean the job wasn’t well done; it is expected due to the nature of the service. Climate and storms can also impact how often you need reapplication. But it’s important and beneficial to keep up with tuckpointing as needed, as it can improve the overall appearance of your chimney. It can also minimize the need for costly repairs, or even a full rebuild, down the road.

How To Perform Tuckpointing

While it may be appealing and tempting to save some money and attempt tuckpointing by yourself, it’s probably best to allow the professionals to perform this task. Below are the main reasons you should hire chimney professionals for this job:

  • It can be potentially dangerous. Some of the mortar wearing out may be at a high height.
  • Special equipment may be required to perform it the best way possible.
  • It requires a fine attention to detail that the common homeowner may miss. You don’t want to miss areas that could benefit from attention.
  • A professional job will (almost) always look better and achieve what you’re going for. You will actually see your investment if you pay for a professional tuckpointing job.

Tuckpointing services in Greece NY

In Need of Tuckpointing or Other Repairs?

Felgemacher is a third-generation fireplace company dedicated to providing the best chimney and fireplace service to Buffalo, NY, Rochester, NY and the surrounding area. We have over 60 years of experience in chimney sweeps, inspections, repairs, rebuilding, maintenance, and fireplace installation. If you’re ready to schedule an inspection, cleaning, or repair, call Felgemacher today.