Chimney Repointing in Long Island

Is your chimney looking a little “crumbly”? We recently completed a chimney repointing project for a homeowner in Long Island who noticed mortar falling onto their roof and some dampness near their fireplace.

If you’ve noticed your mortar joints cracking or disappearing, here is a look at how we fix it and why you shouldn’t wait to call a professional.

The Problem: Deteriorating Mortar

When we arrived at the property, the chimney’s mortar was “soft.” Years of New York freeze-thaw cycles had caused the mortar to crack, allowing water to seep behind the bricks. Left alone, this would have eventually caused the bricks to loosen and the entire chimney stack to become unstable.

Our Process: Step-by-Step

1. Grinding Out the Old: We carefully removed the damaged mortar to a depth of about 1/2 to 1 inch. This ensures the new mortar has a clean, solid surface to bond to.

2. Color Matching: No one wants a “patchy” looking chimney. We custom-mixed the mortar to match the original style of the home.

3. The Repoint: We packed the new mortar into the joints using specialized tools, ensuring a watertight seal.

4. The Finish: We applied a “struck” joint finish to shed water away from the brick efficiently.

Pro Tip: Many homeowners confuse repointing with tuckpointing. While they are similar, repointing is the essential process of repairing the joints to restore the structural integrity of your chimney.

Why Long Island Chimneys Need Repointing

Living on Long Island means our homes deal with unique weather challenges. From the salt air near the Sound to the extreme temperature swings in the winter, your chimney takes a beating.

The most common culprit is the freeze-thaw cycle. Here’s how it works:

• Moisture Seepage: Small hairline cracks form in your mortar over time.

• Expansion: When it rains or snows, water gets into those cracks. When the temperature drops, that water freezes and expands.

• Erosion: This expansion pushes the mortar apart, eventually turning it into dust or causing it to pop out in chunks.

If you ignore these signs, you aren’t just looking at a cosmetic issue—you’re looking at potential water damage inside your attic, rotted roof decking, or a chimney that becomes a structural hazard.

How to Tell if You Need Repointing (The “Penny Test”)

Not sure if your chimney needs work? You can perform a quick DIY check before calling us:

1. Visual Check: Look for “gaps” between the bricks where the mortar used to be.

2. The Penny Test: Take a penny or a screwdriver and gently scrape the mortar joint. If it crumbles away like sand or falls out in large flakes, the mortar has reached the end of its lifespan.

3. Interior Signs: Look for white, powdery staining (efflorescence) on your exterior brick or damp spots on the walls inside your home near the fireplace.

The Result

The chimney is now structurally sound and 100% watertight. Not only does it look brand new, but the homeowner now has peace of mind knowing they won’t have a leak during the next big storm.