Old Smokey's Fireplace & Chimney's Blog

What is repointing?

Masonry chimneys are constructed using special techniques and materials that ensure they will be able to withstand a lot. Your chimney is exposed to moisture, extreme temperature swings, and corrosive gases on a regular basis. Because of this, years and years of constant use will eventually begin to have an effect on the chimney. This is especially true for your mortar joints, the cement-like substance that holds your masonry brickwork together.

When your mortar joints start to crumble and pop out of place, we at Old Smokey’s use a technique called repointing to get your masonry looking and functioning like new again. We have been in business for nearly 40 years, so you know that our masons offer the best service with the most experience in northern Indiana, northern Ohio, and mid-Michigan area.

What is the mortar?

When you inspect your brick or stone masonry, mortar is the white, cement-like substance that lies between your bricks or stones. Mortar is important to the health of your masonry because it acts as the glue that holds your bricks and stone together. Without it, your masonry fireplace would just be a pile of bricks and likely to topple over.

What causes mortar to degrade?

There are many things that can cause mortar damage. Poor construction, old age, and general wear and tear are sometimes the culprits. However, more often, mortar damage can be traced back to issues related to exposure to moisture. When it rains or snows, moisture can settle on your masonry and seep into tiny pores in the mortar. Moisture can then accumulate and pool inside the mortar, gradually eroding and weakening it. If that moisture freezes, it will expand quickly, hastening the speed at which your mortar degrades.

If you notice that your mortar is starting to crumble or pop out of place, it needs to be inspected and repaired soon with a procedure called repointing. Repointing is done by carefully grinding away old mortar joints and refilling it between your bricks. This restrengthens the bonds between your brickwork, protects your masonry from moisture while giving your masonry a new look.

Let the professionals at Old Smokey’s help.

Repointing is a delicate and painstaking procedure. That’s why it is important to leave it to a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified professional. Only a CSIA certified mason will know how to remove old mortar correctly and replace it. At Old Smokey’s, our CSIA certified masons will also be able to match your mortar perfectly with your current masonry mortar, making your masonry look as good as new.

If your mortar is looking a little worse for wear, call us at 260-424-0009 or schedule an appointment online today!

Chimney Repair, Repointing, Restoration & Rebuilds. We Do It ALL!

Owning an older home means you need to pay careful attention to your home’s health. The same is true for old chimney system. Masonry chimneys are designed to withstand a lot of temperature extremes. However, over the years, even the most well-built chimneys start to show signs of deterioration due to operational use and weathering.

There are a lot of different masonry issues that can occur in older chimney’s, and it is important to hire a chimney technician who has experience detecting and repairing masonry issues to check on your chimney. At Old Smokey’s, our experienced masons have seen a lot of masonry issues. We are all certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), this means we have extensive training on all the latest safety protocols regarding chimney inspections and repairs.

What are some of the masonry repairs Old Smokey’s offers?

We do it all! If your looking to do any type of remodel, restoration, or rebuild, our masonry experts can help you. However, one of the most important services we offer is preventative maintenance service. Your chimney goes through a lot of wear and tear throughout the year. It is critical to get your chimney inspected by our CSIA certified chimney technicians at least once a year.

Annual chimney inspections can catch masonry issues before they become a bigger problem. This saves you time and money while also protects your home from potential fire hazards. If you have already noticed issues, we can help. Poor construction, moisture invasion, and weathering are issues that we constantly run across. Most of the time, these small issues only require minor repairs. However, if your chimney has gotten to the point of disrepair, we can rebuild it!

If you have a chimney that’s looking a little worn out, and you want to restore it back to its original glory, we can help you. Our top-notch chimney restoration service is the best in the area. Our experienced masons use materials and techniques to make your chimney new and beautiful again.

We offer repointing!

Another service we provide is repointing. Repointing is the process of carefully removing old, crumbly mortar joints between your brickwork and replacing it with new mortar. This has a few benefits. It strengthens the bonds between your brickwork, keeps rain from entering your mortar joints, and also liven up the appearance of your chimney.

When it comes to the health of your chimney masonry, we are here to help. Call us today at 260-424-0009, or schedule an appointment online to meet with one of our CSIA chimney technicians to inspect and repair your masonry issues!