It’s easy to forget that a chimney isn’t just another part of the house that won’t see much wear and tear over the years. As time passes and the weather wages war on your home’s exterior, the masonry joints between the bricks in your chimney can age and crack. These cracks can allow moisture to enter the chimney, and must be repaired through tuckpointing to prevent additional damage.
What is Tuckpointing?
Tuckpointing is the process of repairing damaged brick mortar joints so that further damage to the chimney system is prevented. It involves cutting back broken mortar back to a uniform depth, and then replacing it. This is done by forcing the new mortar into the joints between the bricks, and then smoothing and rounding it.
Does My Chimney Need Tuckpointing?
There are a few signs to look for when deciding if your Indianapolis home needs chimney tuckpointing, though you can always ask the opinion of a chimney professional:
- Cracking or gaps in the mortar: This is a sign that moisture can get into the layers of your chimney, where freeze and thaw weather can cause damage.
- Water leaking inside the chimney: Water in your fireplace or leaking out of the chimney within the home can be a sign of hairline mortar cracks.
- Vines growing through bricks or mortar: Vines growing into or through your mortar can cause significant damage as the plants try to anchor to these points.
- Voids in the mortar: Missing pieces of mortar leave your chimney very vulnerable to freeze and thaw damage.
- Erosion of over ¼”: Though all mortar will erode to a certain extent over time, erosion that exceeds ¼” can quickly become much worse.
- Crumbling or powdery mortar: As the mortar breaks down over time, it begins to fall apart, making it very weak and creating a powdery feel to it.
- Brick staining or discoloration: As mortar erosion or cracking takes place, water often tracks down the brick in different ways, causing discoloration.
By understanding the signs of needing to have chimney tuckpointing for your Indianapolis home, you can stay on top of maintenance that needs to be done and you can prevent damage to the chimney itself. If you have a chimney that may need tuckpointing or repairs performed in Indianapolis, the friendly professionals at Clean Sweep 317 can help. Please feel free to contact us today with any questions or to schedule a consultation.