Old, crumbling mortar joints ground out and repacked with color-matched mortar — the standard fix for Minnesota's freeze-thaw damage. Free on-site estimates.
We assess which joints have failed and which are still structurally sound before starting.
Deteriorated mortar ground out to a consistent depth — not just scraped at the surface.
Blended to match your home's existing mortar as closely as materials allow.
New mortar packed in and finished to match the original joint profile.
Damaged brick swapped for matching units where the face has already broken away.
Site cleaned and joints inspected once the mortar has had time to set.
Visible gaps between bricks where mortar used to be, especially near the top of the chimney.
A fingernail or key test that shouldn't work on sound mortar is a reliable sign it's failing.
Failed mortar joints are one of the more common entry points for water into the structure.
Efflorescence — the same freeze-thaw signal that shows up elsewhere on a struggling chimney.
One of the most common specific findings on a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection.
The affected area, not the chimney itself, is what actually drives the cost.
No service call fee, no obligation. Written quote before any work begins.
How much of the chimney face actually needs joints ground out and repacked.
Custom blending to match existing mortar takes more time than a stock mix.
Work above certain heights requires scaffolding, which adds to the job.
Some joints need deeper grinding than others before new mortar goes in.
Tell us what you're seeing — crumbling mortar, gaps, or a stain.
We assess every joint and give you a written quote.
Old mortar ground out, new mortar packed and tooled to match.
We show you the finished joints and back it for three years in writing.
It depends on the square footage affected, how deep the deterioration goes, and whether custom color matching is needed. We give a free on-site estimate with a written quote before any work begins.
The terms are often used interchangeably in this trade. Repointing is the general process of replacing old mortar; tuckpointing traditionally refers to a specific decorative technique using two mortar colors. In practice, most Minnesota chimney work called "tuckpointing" is standard repointing done well.
Mortar sets within a day or two but continues curing for several weeks. We time the work around weather to give it the best chance to cure properly, since freezing temperatures can weaken mortar before it sets.
No. Tuckpointing addresses mortar joints, not structural movement. A leaning chimney usually points to a foundation or structural issue that needs a different repair, sometimes a partial rebuild.
We blend mortar to match as closely as materials allow. New mortar is sometimes slightly visible right after the job and blends in further as it weathers over the following season.
Done properly, tuckpointing typically lasts 20 to 30 years before it needs attention again, though Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycles can shorten that if the chimney has ongoing water exposure from a failing crown or cap.
Roughly 40 miles out from Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Free on-site estimate, written quote, no obligation. Next-day scheduling across the Twin Cities metro.
No commitment · No service call fee · Same-day available
