How to Tuck point Your Chimney
The term tuck point means to repair the old mortar that holds the bricks of your chimney together. Over time the mortar will crack, crumble and begin to come loose in the joints. When this occurs tuck pointing repair is the only viable option. This is a fairly straightforward task, and if you are at all familiar with using drywall spackle, you will be able to do tuck point chimney repair. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Putty knife
- Spray bottle with water
- Pre-mix mortar
- Hammer
- Chisel
- Wire brush
Instructions
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1
Identify which areas are crumbling and remove all loose debris in those areas and joints. Use a hammer and a chisel to remove stubborn broken mortar pieces, and wire brush all of the joints to remove dirt and debris.
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2
Spray some water in the joints that your going to tuck point with your spray bottle filled with water. The water helps the new mortar bond to the old and keeps it from cracking when it cures.
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3
Scoop up some of the pre-mix mortar on your putty knife. Push the mortar into the joints until the mortar oozes out. Repeat this process on all damaged areas.
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4
Smooth the fresh mortar to give it a clean straight line and look. Repeat this process on all of the repaired areas until finished.
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5
Allow 4 to 6 hours of dry time for the mortar. If rain is in the forecast make sure you cover the chimney with a tarp until it completely cures.
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Tips & Warnings
When using a ladder always make sure the footing is stable. Use rubber soled shoes for grip when walking on a roof.
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