Well, homeowners, it’s coming up to that time again. Sure, the BBQ coals may still be glowing, the ice in the beer cooler has not fully melted, the trees are still a luscious green, and the sun is still shining for summer. However, the pumpkins are ripening, the nights are drawing in, and it won’t be long until pumpkin spice is everywhere. Yes, spooky season is approaching, and fall is right around the corner.
For those who are sick and tired of dealing with bugs and insects, and who find the heat of the summer a little too oppressive, fall and winter are very welcome. If you’re a fan of cozy season however, it’s important to take care of those jobs around the home that you’ve been putting off all summer, before the winter weather gets here. For those with stoves or fireplaces, chimney repointing is a prime example.
During the colder months of the year, stoves or fireplaces offer warmth and comfort. They do, however, need to be maintained, especially when it comes to the chimney. If your chimney needs repointing and you aren’t sure where to begin, the following should prove very helpful.
Here is everything you need to know as share our complete guide to chimney repointing.
What is Chimney Repointing?
First and foremost, considering this is a complete guide to chimney repointing, we need to first understand exactly what chimney repointing is.
Chimney repointing is basically a basic construction process, whereby any damaged brick, cement, stonework, mortar, or sealant is removed from the bricks or stonework that forms the chimney itself. It is then replaced with fresh mortar.
Whether it is chipped, eroded, cracked, split, or completely crumbled away, the process is very important as the fresh mortar helps to seal cracks and provide vital structural stability.
Why is Chimney Repointing Important?
Chimney repointing may seem like a tedious job, but it’s also a very important job, for a variety of different reasons. Not only does it strengthen the structural integrity of your chimney, it also ensures that your fire is working efficiently, drawing as it should, venting smoke and emissions as it should, and putting out as much heat as it should.
If your chimney is damaged, any loose bricks or mortar must be repaired as soon as possible. The problem won’t get any better, and will continue to worsen, especially during bad weather. What starts off as a small section of chipped away mortar may continue to worsen until the bricks themselves are damaged. It won’t be long until you’re losing bricks, and then there’s the risk of the chimney collapsing and destroying your roof, or worse still.
Finally, there’s the aesthetics to consider. Nobody wants to look at a battered, tired, worn and tattered old chimney full of cracks, holes, and missing sections of mortar. This not only hurts the curb appeal of your home, it can also decrease the value.
So, just because you’re only missing a tiny clump of loose mortar, don’t think that it’s no big deal, because it is, and the problem will only get worse the longer you leave it.
Why Do Chimneys Need Repointing?
While each case is different, here are a few examples of why your chimney may need to be tidied up a little and repointed:
- Bad weather
- Poor materials
- Poor construction
- Damage caused by birds, pests, or insects
- General wear and tear
- Age
Chimney Repointing Tips
Hopefully by now, you understand just how important it is to take care of any chimney repointing that needs doing sooner rather than later?
To help you do precisely that, here are a few simple chimney repointing tips that will make the process a whole lot easier.
Ensure You Can Gain Access Safely
To begin with, before you even think about tackling the repointing process, you first must ensure that you’re able to safely access the chimney itself.
Now, there are a number of ways in which you can do this, including scaffolding, a boom lift, or safety ladders.
Inspect the Damage
Before the repointing work can begin, it’s important that you first take the time to inspect the chimney and the damage in general.
Give the chimney a thorough examination and look for any signs of damage. Obviously cracks, chips, and missing mortar are all dead giveaways, but on top of that, it’s worth examining the entire chimney and the surrounding area, just in case there are any bits of damage that you missed, or any potential hazards waiting to develop.
Remove the Old Mortar
Once you’ve diagnosed the problem, it’s time to begin removing the old mortar that needs replacing. This is not the quickest job in the world, but it’s one that you will need to get right, so take your time.
Take a chisel and/or scraper and begin chopping, chiseling, and scraping away the old mortar. When repointing, it’s important to work in entire sections. Don’t just try to remove the small section of mortar that needs replacing, remove the whole section instead. This will not only help the fix to look neater and cleaner, it will also help to stabilize the chimney and give the repair the greatest chance of lasting.
Don’t be too heavy handed here. You need to be meticulous and fairly gentle. The goal is to remove the mortar and leave the bricks intact. They should only be replaced if they are visibly damaged beyond repair. Taking your time will not only help protect the brickwork, it will also make the repair look neater and more professional.
Add the New Mortar
Once you’ve scraped away the old and damaged mortar, it’s time for the satisfying part. Now you get to add the new mortar.
Apply a generous amount of water to the mortar joints and then begin adding your fresh mortar. Scrape it firmly and carefully into the new mortar joints, making sure not to leave any gaps. You want everything to be nice and level and even. Carefully scrape away any excess and clean off any mortar that may have gotten onto the bricks.
Leave to dry, and you’re all set. We recommend checking the weather forecast in advance. Dry to pick a couple of dry, warm, slightly breezy days where there is no risk of rain or heavy wind.
