Family-owned chimney masonry repair in Eagle Creek

The mortar types named in ASTM C270

ASTM C270 sorts mortar for unit masonry into types, and Technical Note 8B summarizes them. Your estimate names the type we propose for your chimney and explains why it suits the brick and the existing joints.

• Type M, high compressive strength but not very workable
• Type S, all-purpose with higher compressive and flexural bond strength
• Type N, all-purpose with good bonding and workability
• Type O, low strength, used mostly inside and for restoration

Masonry above and below the roofline

The chimney above the roof stands in the weather on every side, while the part below sits against or inside the house. Damage tends to differ, and so does access.

Above the roof, we work from roof access and protect the roofing. Below it, the work may be reached from ladders or scaffolding outside, or be visible only from the attic. We plan each part separately and explain how access affects the scope and schedule. Cracks that appear both in the attic and above the roof are especially worth tracing, since they may be one crack running the full height.

Watching a crack instead of repairing it

Some fine cracks are old, stable and not letting water in. The honest advice for those can be to record them and watch for change rather than cut into sound masonry.

We note the location, width and length so a change can be spotted later. If a crack grows, lengthens or starts to stain, it moves onto the repair list. You only pay for work the chimney needs now, with a clear note of what to keep an eye on.

Cleanup after masonry work

Cutting out mortar and replacing brick leaves dust, chips and mortar crumbs behind. They end up on the roof, in gutters, on window sills and in the yard below.

We clean each of those areas before leaving, check the flue opening and smoke shelf for anything that fell, and haul away old material. You should be able to tell where we worked only by looking at the chimney itself. If anything we did leaves a mark on the roof or the property, tell us, and we will put it right as part of our satisfaction guarantee.