Chimney masonry repair and rebuilds
Crumbling mortar and flaking brick get worse every winter. Catching them early keeps a repair from turning into a rebuild.
The part of a chimney above the roof takes the full force of Maine weather on four sides. Rain and melting snow soak in, freeze, and slowly break down mortar joints and brick faces. Masonry repair restores the chimney before water does more damage inside it and inside the house.
What is repointing?
Repointing, often called tuckpointing, means removing deteriorated mortar to a set depth and packing in fresh mortar. The mortar should be matched to the brick. On old, soft brick, mortar that's too hard can make the bricks crack and spall, so ask the contractor what mortar they'll use, especially on an older Bangor home.
What if the bricks are damaged?
Bricks that have lost their faces or cracked through are cut out and replaced. When damage is widespread, the chimney is usually taken down to solid masonry, often at or below the roofline, and rebuilt with new brick, a new crown and new flashing.
Repair or rebuild?
| Condition | Usual fix |
|---|---|
| Some eroded mortar joints, bricks sound | Repointing |
| A few spalled or cracked bricks | Brick replacement plus repointing |
| Widespread spalling, loose bricks, leaning top | Rebuild from the roofline up |
| Damage through the attic or interior | Larger rebuild, or a different venting system |
What about center chimneys in older capes and farmhouses?
Many older Maine houses have a big center chimney with several flues, sometimes serving a boiler, a wood stove and a fireplace at once. These chimneys are heavy, often old, and partly hidden inside the house. A contractor should check the attic and basement sections as well as the top, and tell you which flue serves which appliance.
When can masonry work be done?
Mortar has to cure above freezing, so most exterior masonry work around Bangor happens from spring through fall. If your chimney is dropping bricks in January, a contractor can usually make it safe, for example by taking down loose courses or capping it, and schedule the full repair for warmer weather.
How can I keep it from happening again?
- Put a cap on every flue to keep rain and snow out.
- Repair or replace a cracked crown.
- Make sure the roof flashing is sealed.
- Ask about a breathable water repellent made for masonry. Avoid sealers that trap moisture.
- Have the chimney inspected every year.
What affects the cost?
- Height and roof pitch. Tall chimneys and steep, snowy roofs need more staging.
- How much damage there is: repointing costs less than a rebuild.
- Number of flues and the chimney's size.
- Add-ons like a new crown, cap or flashing.
Prices come from the chimney company after they've inspected the chimney. We don't quote prices ourselves, and a phone estimate is only a starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How long does repointing last?
Well-matched, properly installed mortar can last for decades, especially with a sound crown and cap keeping water out.
Can I paint or seal over crumbling brick?
No. Coatings that trap moisture can make spalling worse. Damaged mortar and brick need repair, and any repellent should be breathable.
Related services
More background: Maine chimney guide.
Heating season and the chimney's acting up?
Call now and a local chimney company will inspect it and quote the repair.