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!

Quality Chimney Repairs, Repointing, Restoration & Rebuilds

There are a lot of issues that can arise when you own a masonry fireplace and chimney. This is is especially true if your chimney system in older. Masonry chimneys are constructed to withstand a lot of abuse. This makes sense when you consider that your chimney has to deal with extreme shifts in temperature and harsh weather conditions. Because of this, over the years, even the most well-built chimneys will start to show signs of wear and tear due to climate and operational use. When your chimney masonry health starts to deteriorate, issues that can occur that will inhibit your chimney system’s ability to operate correctly and your chimney could also become hazardous. Because of this, it is critical that you have your chimney inspected and maintained by an experienced chimney technician annually. At Old Smokey’s, our experienced masons have seen everything when it comes to chimney masonry issues. Let us show you what we can do to bring life to your old worn out masonry chimney.

Masonry Services We Offer

When it comes to your chimney masonry, we pretty much do it all. If you’re looking to do any type of repair, repointing, restoration, or rebuild, our masonry experts can help you. There are many things that can cause masonry damage. Poor construction, weather, and old age are some of the most common issues that we come across during chimney inspections. If you notice that your masonry is starting to crack, chip, crumble or detach, it needs to be inspected and repaired as soon as possible. These types of issues can quickly become large issues that are hazardous and costly to repair. Sometimes repairing masonry will include a process called repointing. Repointing is the process of carefully removing old and damaged mortar from between your masonry brickwork and replacing it with new mortar. Repointing strengthens bonds between your brickwork and protects your masonry from moisture intrusion. It also has the added benefit of livening up the appearance of your chimney.

If your chimney or fireplace is looking old and worn out, you may be thinking that you want to restore it back to its original self. At Old Smokey’s, we can help you with this as well. Our chimney restoration services include but are not limited to, stain removal, brick replacement, waterproofing, and repointing. Our experienced masons will use materials and techniques that will make sure your repairs match your current masonry’s colors and patterns. If your chimney or fireplace has gotten to the point that repairs don’t really make sense, we can rebuild it for you. Many people use this as an opportunity to totally remodel their chimney system. 

One of the most important masonry services that we offer is preventative care. Your chimney puts a lot of work into keeping you warm throughout the winter. That’s why it is important to have your chimney inspected by one of our CSIA certified chimney technicians at least once a year. Annual chimney inspections allow us to detect issues in your masonry before they become larger issues. This can save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run.

Whatever your chimney masonry needs are, we here at Old Smokey’s can help. Call us today at 800-876-6539 or 260-424-0009, or schedule an appointment online to meet with one of our CSIA chimney technicians today! We look forward to serving you!