How to Repair a Masonry Chimney

Fixing the masonry on your chimney is not a difficult job, but it is a time-consuming one. It does require lots of tools and the patience to do the job, but anyone with basic skills and the ability to follow directions will have their chimney looking almost like new in no time.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Safety Glasses
• Masonry Mix
• Hawk (for the masonry)
• Trowel
• Tuck-pointing Tool
• Grout brush
• Hammer
• Brick chisel
• Shop vac
• Wire brush
• Hose or spray bottle

1. Dig out the loose masonry with the grout rake. The chisel and hammer are for the harder spots.

2. Turn the rake over and make the joints larger with the flattened side. Vacuum up the dust so that it will not interfere with your repair and cause a crack in the same spot later.

3. Use a wire brush on the joints to remove even more dust and vacuum again.

4. Spray down the chimney with water to wet the joints. If the old masonry is wet, it will adhere to the new coat better.

5. Mix masonry and fortifier according to directions. The mix is ready when it is thick, but you are still able to work it.

6. Add masonry on your hawk and lay it close to the chimney as you use the tuck-pointing tool to pack the joints with the masonry.

7. Scrap off the excess masonry after it has had a half hour to set. This is to make sure the joints are flush with the bricks.

8. Spray the masonry down again with water. Otherwise it might dry too quickly and crack.

9. Brush the chimney with a stiff broom a few days after it has dried to remove the excess sand and dust.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your masonry mix has absorbed all the water before using.

• Don't repair your masonry when it is extremely hot since the mix needs to remain wet to dry and set properly.

• If your roof is steep or high up, you may need fall protection equipment to make sure you do not get hurt.

Resources

• Ask questions about your chimney repair