Although masonry chimneys are built to last for a lifetime, the bricks and mortar joints can suffer from weather-related damage over the years. Damaged chimney masonry should always be taken seriously and repaired as soon as possible to avoid more extensive damage. If you neglect these repairs, the damage can quickly deteriorate to the point where the structure of the whole chimney is in jeopardy. There are a couple of different masonry techniques that can be used to repair and replace damaged bricks and mortar joints, and it is important to know which technique is right for your chimney. Blue Ridge Chimney Services 
is proud to provide chimney masonry repairs to the Shenandoah Valley area, and our professional chimney masons are trained and experienced in all types of masonry techniques, including repointing and tuckpointing. We would like to tell you more about these techniques to help you know which one is necessary for your chimney.
What is the difference between repointing and tuckpointing?
These two masonry techniques are often used synonymously, but according to Bob Vila, the results of each technique are very different when it comes to how they look. Repointing involves removing old and damaged mortar from the joints and replacing it with new mortar. This process is also used in tuckpointing, but the difference is that the color of the new mortar is matched to the existing bricks as closely as possible. Tuckpointing also includes the additional step of applying fillets, or thin lines of putty in a contrasting color, in the centers of the new mortar joints. This helps to give a cleaner and crisper appearance to the masonry work of the entire chimney by creating an illusion of narrow mortar joints that have been well-maintained over time.
When would I need tuckpointing to be used to repair my damaged chimney masonry?
While Blue Ridge Chimney Services can use the tuckpointing technique on any type of masonry chimney, it is most commonly used when we repair and restore the chimneys of historical homes because it closely replicates the original thin mortar joints that were used to construct the home. Tuckpointing allows us to match the masonry repair work to the existing bricks and mortar joints of the chimney so that it is impossible to see where the repairs were made. This technique is also necessary when we are restoring the appearance of masonry chimneys on older homes because of the attention to detail that is required to properly match the color of the bricks and mortar joints.
How can I best protect my newly repaired masonry chimney from the elements of weather?
The most important maintenance responsibility you have to protect your masonry chimney from weather-related damage is to prevent water penetration because of the amount and severity of masonry deterioration water can cause. Since the exterior of your chimney is constantly exposed to rain, ice, and snow, Blue Ridge Chimney Services strongly recommends our professional waterproofing service to keep water out of your chimney. Because of the acceleration of water-related chimney damage and deterioration that occurs during the freeze/thaw cycles in the winter, it is important to have your chimney waterproofed in the late summer or early fall.
If your chimney is suffering from masonry damage, you can trust Blue Ridge Chimney Services to use the proper masonry technique to make the necessary repairs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for our professional masonry chimney repair services.