Brick Repointing and Chimney Repointing

Brick and Chimney Repointing

For Long Lasting and Safe Brickwork

It’s an unfortunate fact. The mortar between bricks deteriorates overtime.  This happens due to exposure to harsh weather, moisture, and temperature fluctuations. In Pittsburgh, sun, rain, and harsh winters all work together to damage your chimney and brickwork.

Left unchecked, mortar erosion can lead to structural issues, water intrusion, and aesthetic damage, putting your home at risk.

That’s where repointing comes in. Repointing involves removing the damaged mortar and replacing it with fresh material to restore the strength and durability of your brickwork. For chimneys, repointing is important to safety, as deteriorating mortar can cause dangerous structural problems.

Whether it’s to improve your home’s curb appeal or prevent costly repairs down the road, brick and chimney repointing are key to maintaining the longevity of your masonry.

The Importance of Chimney Repointing

Over time, harsh weather like rain, snow, and freezing temperatures, causes mortar to crack, crumble, and fall out. When this happens, your chimney becomes vulnerable to water infiltration.  The water that gets between the joints and bricks also freezes and thaws over time, acting with hydraulic power to damage your chimney.

Repointing is crucial for preventing serious damage and to ensure that your chimney remains safe to use. A chimney with weakened mortar joints can begin to lean or collapse, posing a significant safety hazard, especially when using fireplaces or heating stoves. Gaps in the mortar can also allow dangerous fumes like carbon monoxide to seep into your living space, creating health risks for your family.

Keeping moisture out and preserving the chimney’s structural integrity is the job of repointing, and at D-Bug Waterproofing, we have a lifetime of experience working to restore masonry and chimney mortar throughout the Pittsburgh region.

How Repointing is Done

Inspection:

The first step in repointing is a thorough inspection of the brick or chimney structure to assess the extent of mortar damage. This inspection helps identify areas where mortar has deteriorated, crumbled, or is missing. A D-Bug Waterproofing expert will evaluate the condition of the mortar joints and the bricks themselves to determine whether repointing is needed or if more extensive repairs, such as rebuilding, may be required.

Preparation:

Once the damaged areas have been identified, the preparation stage begins. This involves carefully removing the old, damaged mortar from between the bricks using specialized tools to ensure minimal disruption to the surrounding masonry. It’s important to remove only the deteriorating mortar without damaging the bricks, as this ensures a strong bond for the new mortar.

Applying New Mortar:

After the old mortar is cleared, new mortar is carefully applied to fill the gaps between the bricks. The new mortar is mixed to match the strength, consistency, and color of the original mortar to maintain the aesthetic appearance and structural integrity of the masonry. Each layer is packed tightly and smoothly to create a durable and weather-resistant seal.

Curing:

Once the new mortar is applied, it needs time to cure properly. Curing is essential for the mortar to achieve its full strength and weather resistance. During this stage, the mortar may be kept moist to ensure it sets slowly and evenly, preventing cracking or shrinkage. The curing process typically takes several days, depending on the weather and temperature.

Each of these steps is crucial to ensuring that the repointing process is effective, preserving the beauty and strength of your brickwork for years to come. When done by the professionals at D-Bug Waterproofing, repointing not only restores the integrity of the masonry but also helps prevent further damage from occurring.

Why Choose a Waterproofing Company for Repointing?

With decades of experience in basement waterproofing, foundation repair, and retaining wall construction, concrete work, landscaping, and more, D-Bug Waterproofing brings a deep understanding of how water and moisture affect masonry over time. This expertise makes us uniquely qualified to not only restore your brickwork but also to protect it from future water damage, ensuring the long-term durability of your home’s structure.

With the capabilities of a full-service contractor, D-Bug offers comprehensive solutions that go beyond just repointing. Whether it’s addressing cracks in your foundation, waterproofing your basement, or building retaining walls, our team is skilled in a wide range of masonry and waterproofing services.

This means you can trust us to handle any related repairs or upgrades that may arise during the repointing process, saving you time and the hassle of coordinating multiple contractors. We guarantee high-quality workmanship backed by our commitment to customer satisfaction.

FAQs About Repointing Services:

• How long does the repointing process take?
  The duration depends on the size and condition of the structure. A simple repointing job may take a few days, while larger or more complex repairs could take longer.
• How often should chimneys and brickwork be inspected?
  We recommend an annual inspection, especially for chimneys, to catch early signs of mortar deterioration before they become serious problems.
• What’s the difference between a partial and complete chimney rebuild?
  A partial rebuild focuses on repairing only the damaged sections, such as the top or roofline, while a complete rebuild involves tearing down and reconstructing the entire chimney.

D-Bug Waterproofing provides expert masonry services designed to restore the integrity of your brickwork while protecting it from future damage. Contact us today for a professional inspection and learn how we can help maintain your home’s strength and beauty.

The Repointing Services You Need are Only a Call Away

Whether you have a damaged chimney or see deterioration in other home masonry, give D-Bug Waterproofing a call at 855-381-1528.

 We’ve been serving the Western Pennsylvania area since 1980. Our approach to any project is built on a deep understanding of the region’s unique challenges, including its hillsides, rain, and winter freeze-thaw cycles.  And D-Bug Waterproofing crews do all the work themselves. We don’t call on extra contractors that you don’t know and don’t have a relationship with. All the construction, electrical, plumbing, and finishing is done by our own employees!

What sets D-Bug apart is our approach to treating customers like family and each house as a home. Finally, we are not a franchise but a locally owned family business, offering a more personalized service and a long-term commitment to the communities we serve.

For more information, call D-Bug Waterproofing at 855-381-1528 or contact us today.