Water kept out of the core
Open joints are a direct route into the middle of the stack. Closing them is what stops the deeper damage.
Free written estimate before any work begins
Masonry Repointing in the San Francisco Bay Area
Failed joints cut out and repointed with mortar matched to the original in strength and color.
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Matched mixStrength and color
1-2 daysTypical stack
Why masonry repointing matters
Mortar is designed to be the sacrificial part of masonry: softer than the brick, so it takes the movement and the weathering. Once it has gone, water runs into the wall itself. The matching matters as much as the work, because a modern mortar harder than a soft old brick transfers the stress into the brick and destroys it.
Our guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the result, we come back and make it right at no charge.
Benefits
What you get
Matched in strength, not just color
Mortar softer than the brick, as it was designed to be. Hard modern mixes on old brick cause spalling.
A rebuild deferred
Repointing at the right moment is a fraction of the cost of rebuilding the section it saves.
The stack looks right again
Color and joint profile matched to the original, so the repair does not read as a patch.
Warning signs
When to book masonry repointing
- Mortar you can rake out with a screwdriver or a fingernail
- Gaps, cracks or missing sections in the joints
- Sand or mortar crumbs collecting at the base of the chimney
- Brick faces flaking, blistering or spalling off
- A white bloom on the brickwork
- Daylight visible through the joints from inside the attic
Book masonry repointing today
Call (209) 447-0752 or request a quote online.
Process
How we do it
Assess and match
Existing mortar assessed for strength and color so the new mix matches rather than overpowers it.
Rake out the failed joints
Cut back to sound mortar at a consistent depth. Skimming over failed mortar does not last a winter.
Repoint and finish
New mortar packed and finished to the original joint profile, then cured properly.
Clean and protect
Brick faces cleaned down and, where appropriate, a breathable repellent applied once cured.
Our work
Recent masonry repointing jobs
Photographs from jobs our own crews have completed.
Questions
Masonry Repointing FAQs
How do I know if my chimney needs repointing?
Try to scrape a joint with a key or a screwdriver. If mortar comes away as sand or powder, or you can see gaps and missing sections, it needs pointing. Mortar crumbs collecting at the base of the stack are the other clear sign.
Why does matching the mortar matter so much?
Mortar is meant to be softer than the brick so it absorbs movement and weathering. Point soft old brick with hard modern cement mortar and the stress goes into the brick faces instead, which then spall off. The damage is worse than leaving it alone.
Can repointing be done in winter?
It needs temperatures above freezing to cure and it needs to stay reasonably dry while it does. Around the Bay that leaves most of the year open, but we plan around the storm windows.
More
Other services we offer
Chimney Sweep
Full creosote and soot removal to CSIA standard, with a camera check of the flue before we pack up.
Learn more about Chimney SweepChimney Inspection
Level 1 and Level 2 inspections with a written report and camera footage, including inspections for a home sale.
Learn more about Chimney InspectionChimney Repair
Crown repair, liner replacement, repointing and rebuilds, quoted in writing before any work starts.
Learn more about Chimney RepairContact Alpine Chimney
Alpine Chimney Company
1080 Broadway
Millbrae, CA 94030
(209) 447-0752
info@alpinechimneycompany.com
Open 24/7Every day, including holidays
Request a Free Quote
Fast response. No obligation.