Chimney Repointing – Tuckpointing

Let's face it. Winters here in the upper Midwest can be extremely harsh to people, pets, homes, chimneys, and anything exposed to sub-freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and ice for extended periods. While Minnesotans are accustomed to our seasonal climate changes, these conditions accelerate the deterioration of the exterior masonry in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and throughout the Twin Cities Area. While stones are much harder than bricks, the first to erode is often the mortar, a softer, more porous material.

Once the mortar starts to decay, it’s only a matter of time before bricks or stones fall to the ground. Also, the gaps in the joints from mortar erosion provide channels for moisture to get inside the chimney, leading to extensive internal damage. Repointing or tuckpointing stops the damage in its tracks and helps protect from further water damage.

Benefits of Repointing or Tuckpointing Your Chimney

When your masonry chimney has mortar damage but the bricks are in good condition, repointing, or tuckpointing can help you avoid additional repairs like brick replacement or chimney rebuilding. There are many other benefits too:

• Protects your chimney from moisture intrusion.
• Preserves the brickwork or stonework.
• Improves the appearance of your chimney.
• Increases heating efficiency.
• Reduces fire risk and exposure to harmful contaminants.
• Extends the life of your chimney, liner, and other internal components.
• Increases curb appeal, which may increase your property value.

Chimney Repointing/Tuckpointing: What’s the Difference?

Chimney tuckpointing and repointing are similar masonry techniques that often need clarification. While both involve restoring a decaying chimney, they are quite different processes.

Repointing is a restorative procedure where a qualified mason removes the decaying mortar from the joints, replacing it with a new, durable mortar compound. Thus, significantly improving the chimney's structural integrity so that you can use the fireplace, stove or other heating appliance.

With tuckpointing, the mason repoints the joints with a color-matched pigment blended into the mortar compound, giving your chimney a seamless appearance as if the damage never happened.

When your masonry chimney is showing its age, the team of highly skilled masons at Twin City Fireplace can turn back the clock, restoring its original luster with exceptional repointing and tuckpointing services for Minnesotans in Hennepin County, Washington County, and the entire Twin Cities Area.