Brick chimney repair and mortar work in Sun City Center

Mortar for chimneys that take strong wind

A chimney stands above the roof with nothing to shelter it, so wind pushes on it from every side. BIA's chimney guidance says Type S mortar is acceptable and may be necessary where a chimney faces high lateral forces such as wind.

BIA's mortar selection note likewise points to Type S for stronger applications in high-wind areas, and Type N for normal brickwork. Type S is harder than Type N, so on softer or older brick the stronger mix is not automatically the better choice.

We choose between the two for your chimney based on its height, its exposure and the brick, and explain the choice.

Dealing with the cause before the masonry

Masonry rarely fails for no reason. The National Park Service lists leaking roofs or gutters, settlement, rising damp and extreme weather exposure as root causes that should be dealt with before repointing.

On a chimney, the usual suspects are a cracked crown, failed flashing, a missing cap or water running off the roof against the brick. BIA also advises finding the moisture source before repairs.

Our estimate names the cause we find, alongside the masonry repair, so the new work is not left facing the same problem.

Sealant where the chimney meets other materials

Where a chimney meets siding, trim or a window, the joint is often sealed rather than mortared. BIA advises replacing torn or hardened sealant with a backer rod and a quality elastomeric sealant such as polyurethane, silicone or polysulfide.

BIA's chimney guidance adds that oil-based sealants should not be used, and that sealant joints deserve the same care as the masonry. Sealant joints also wear out sooner than mortar, so they get their own line on the checklist.

We include failed sealant joints in the masonry scope so water does not slip in beside a freshly repaired chimney.

What your chimney masonry estimate should show

A masonry estimate is easier to trust when it answers specific questions about the work. Ask any contractor, including us, to spell these out.

• Which areas of the chimney will be repaired, and which are sound?
• Which bricks will be replaced, and which joints repointed?
• Which mortar type will be used, and why?
• How deep will old mortar be removed?
• How will the joints be finished, and how will the color be matched?
• What is being done about the crown, the flashing and the water source?