Chimneys · Long Island

Chimney repointing.

Chimney repointing for homes in Nassau and Suffolk County. We replace cracked and crumbling mortar joints before water breaks the brick apart.

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Brick lasts a long time. The mortar between the bricks doesn’t. Chimney repointing means grinding out mortar that has cracked, crumbled or washed away and packing the joints with fresh mortar. Home Crew Construction repoints chimneys across Long Island, in Nassau County and Suffolk County, as part of our chimney repair and masonry work.

Quick answer: What is chimney repointing?

Chimney repointing, often called tuckpointing, means removing worn, cracked or crumbling mortar from the joints between bricks and replacing it with fresh mortar. It keeps water out and holds the chimney together. Home Crew Construction repoints chimneys across Long Island, matching the new mortar to the color and texture of the old.

How it works

Anatomy of a chimney.

Water is the main enemy of a masonry chimney. Each part keeps it out of a different spot.

Illustration. Point at a part to see what it does.

Brick & mortarMortar joints wear out first. Repointing replaces them before water gets into the brick.
FlashingChimney flashingMetal that seals the gap where the chimney meets the roof.
CrownChimney crownsThe sloped concrete slab that seals the top of the masonry.
Flue linerChimney linersThe lining inside the chimney that carries smoke and gases up and out safely.
CapChimney capsA metal cover over the flue that keeps rain, animals and debris out.

Signs your chimney needs repointing

Stone chimney with new metal flashing where it meets a cedar shake roof — Stone chimney, new flashing· Home Crew Construction

Mortar joints that are cracked, crumbling or sandy to the touch.
Joints that have worn back from the face of the brick, leaving gaps.
Mortar grit on the roof or in the gutters below the chimney.
Loose bricks, especially near the top.
Water stains inside the house, or white staining on the outside brick.
Gaps deep enough to push a key into.

Most of this is hard to see from the ground, because the worst damage is usually at the top. A pair of binoculars helps. So does a look at the gutters and roof below the chimney after a storm. If you spot grit or pieces of mortar, the joints above are breaking down.

Why mortar fails on Long Island chimneys

Illustration · Brick & mortarMortar joints wear out first. Repointing replaces them before water gets into the brick.

Mortar is meant to be the weak link. It is softer than brick, so it takes the wear and can be replaced. But the top of a chimney gets rain from every side, and winter freeze-thaw cycles push the joints apart. Once a joint opens up, water gets into the chimney, soaks the brick and starts to break it down. Repointing at that stage stops the damage before bricks have to be replaced.

Need help with chimney repointing?

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Our chimney repointing process

The same wood-clad chimney chase before its new cover, flue exposed — The same chase, before· Home Crew Construction

InspectWe check the joints, brick, crown and flashing to see how far the damage goes.
Remove the old mortarWe grind or rake out the damaged mortar to an even depth, taking care not to chip the edges of the brick.
Clean the jointsDust and loose material come out so the new mortar bonds.
RepointWe pack new mortar into the joints in layers, matched as closely as possible to the color and makeup of the existing mortar.
Tool and finishJoints are shaped to shed water and match the rest of the chimney. We clean excess mortar off the brick and clean up the site.

The mortar mix matters. Mortar that is harder than the brick forces the brick to crack and spall instead of the joint, so we use a mix that suits your chimney.

Spot repointing or the whole chimney?

Mortar doesn’t wear evenly. The top of the chimney, and the side that faces the weather, usually go first, while the lower brick and the sheltered sides stay sound much longer. So we don’t repoint joints that don’t need it. If the damage is limited to a few areas, we repoint those. If the mortar is failing all over, repointing the whole chimney at once gives an even look and saves coming back for the next section in a year or two.

Repointing is noisy and dusty work, since the old mortar has to be ground out. We protect the roof and the area below the chimney while we work and clean up at the end of the job.

Repointing or rebuilding?

Stone chimney on a cedar shake roof, seen from above — Stone chimney on a cedar roof· Home Crew Construction

Repointing works when the bricks are sound and the damage is mostly in the joints. If bricks are loose throughout, badly spalled, or the chimney leans, a partial chimney rebuild is usually the better choice. We’ll tell you which one your chimney needs.

Need help with chimney repointing?

Free quotes, a reply within 24 hours, and we answer the phone 24/7.

5.0 on Google

Get a Free Quote Call 631-965-0881

After your chimney is repointed

New mortar needs time to cure before any water repellent goes on. Once it has, a breathable chimney waterproofing treatment helps keep water out of the brick. A sound crown and cap, and a yearly inspection, keep the new joints in good shape for a long time.

Crumbling mortar on your chimney? Call 631-965-0881 or request a free quote. We reply within 24 hours.

Chimney repointing FAQ

Common questions.

Still not sure?

Call 631-965-0881 any time. We'll tell you straight whether it's a repair or a replacement.

What is the difference between repointing and tuckpointing?

The terms are often used for the same job: replacing damaged mortar. Strictly speaking, tuckpointing adds a thin line of contrasting mortar for a decorative finish, while repointing is replacing the mortar itself.

Can you match the color of my existing mortar?

We match the color and texture as closely as we can. New mortar can look a little different at first and blends in as it weathers.

Can I seal cracked mortar joints with caulk?

No. Caulk over mortar traps water and fails quickly. Damaged mortar needs to be removed and replaced.

When is the best time to repoint a chimney?

Spring through fall, when temperatures stay above freezing so the mortar can cure properly.

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Questions about chimney repointing? Let's talk.

Free, no-obligation quotes. We reply within 24 hours, and we answer the phone 24/7.

Get a Free Quote Call 631-965-0881

5.0 on Google · 10-yr labor warranty on new roofs

Chimney repointing.

Get your free quote

Quick answer: What is chimney repointing?

What is the difference between repointing and tuckpointing?

Can you match the color of my existing mortar?

Can I seal cracked mortar joints with caulk?

When is the best time to repoint a chimney?

Questions about chimney repointing? Let's talk.