Chimney brick replacement for Temple Terrace homes

A failed brick and a failed joint are different repairs

Spalling brick repair deals with the brick itself: a face that has broken away, a unit cracked through or a brick that has come loose. Mortar joint repair deals with the material between the bricks. Both can happen in the same area, but they are not the same job.

We identify which material has failed before proposing work. A chimney with sound bricks and worn joints needs repointing, while one with sound joints and failed bricks needs the units replaced. Many chimneys need a little of each, and the estimate shows them separately.

Getting that distinction right is what keeps the repair from being too small to last or larger than the chimney needs.

Why a coating can make spalling worse

Film-forming coatings sit on the surface of the brick and keep water out, but they also slow the evaporation of water already inside. The Brick Industry Association warns that this can lead to clouding and spalling when the moisture source has not been dealt with.

BIA also notes that salts carried toward a coated surface can be deposited just behind the coating, where their crystals may push the face off. That is why a coating is never our answer to flaking brick.

If your chimney has been coated, tell us what was used if you know. It helps explain the damage and shapes the repair.

Keeping an eye on the chimney from the ground

Periodic inspections are part of the Brick Industry Association's maintenance advice, which suggests binoculars for a close view of high areas. A chimney is easy to check that way without climbing.

Look for rough patches where the smooth face is missing, bricks that sit out of line, cracks, white deposits and dark areas that stay wet after rain. Note where they are and whether they change over time.

If you see something new, describe it when you call. Our inspection is free, and we would rather look early than replace a larger area later.

How repointing mortar is prepared

Mortar for the joints around replaced bricks is mixed differently from ordinary mortar. BIA describes prehydrating it, which means mixing the dry ingredients, adding just enough water for a damp mix that holds its shape, and letting it rest for an hour to an hour and a half before the rest of the water goes in.

Prehydration reduces shrinkage, which helps the new joints stay tight against the brick. It is one of several small steps that separate a lasting repair from a quick patch.