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• Point - to place plastic mortar into joints to correct defects or to completely fill joints in newly laid masonry.
• Re-point - to place plastic mortar into cut or raked joints to correct defective mortar joints in masonry.
• Tuck-point - (1) to point masonry with a flush mortar joint that approximates the color of the masonry units and a mortar of contrasting color that is shaped into a thin strip. (2) see re-point.

The term re-point is used throughout. The slightly different procedures involved with the first definition of tuck-point, the more traditional definition of this term, are not discussed here.

Why Re-point?

A common maintenance task for brick masonry is repair of mortar joints. The longevity of mortar joints will vary with the exposure conditions and the mortar materials used, but a lifespan of more than 25 years is typical. The longevity of brick, however, may well exceed 100 years. Consequently, occasional repair of the mortar joints is expected over the life of the brick masonry. It is our observation that the most common reason for re-pointing brick masonry is to improve water penetration resistance. Re-pointing deteriorated mortar joints is one of the most effective and permanent ways of decreasing water entry into brickwork. This is because the most common means of water entry into a brick masonry wall is through de-bonded, cracked or deteriorated mortar joints.

Finding a Good Re-pointer

An important step toward a successful re-pointing job is to secure a qualified and experienced re-pointing craftsman. An individual who is an excellent mason/bricklayer may not be a good re-pointer. It is suggested that skills be substantiated by prior re-pointing projects or by pre-qualifying. One method of evaluating craftsmanship is to designate an inconspicuous section of the brick masonry and permit candidates to place a sample of their work on that section of the masonry. The skills in question are: (1) cutting out the mortar joints to the proper depth and profile with minimal damage to adjacent brick units (2) proper preparation of the mortar for re-pointing, (3) proper placement of mortar by layering, compacting and tooling, and (4) accurate color matching to adjacent, original mortar joints. Cleanliness of the re-pointing operation is also important, so that extensive cleaning of the finished wall is not necessary.

What to Re-point

A critical step in the re-pointing operation is to identify wall areas which require re-pointing. This step is critical because only defective joints require repair, re-pointing is very labor-intensive work, and original mortar joints in good condition are preferred over re-pointed mortar joints. Conditions which may require re-pointing include: (1) mortar erosion more than 6 mm, (2) crumbling mortar, (3) hairline cracks in the mortar, and (4) cracks between the brick and mortar. Visual observation in combination with light scraping with a metal tool can detect cracked, spalled and crumbly mortar joints. This is the most common means of determining areas to be re-pointed. On older buildings, "cleaning" by low or moderate pressure water wash (not grit or chemical wash) may be required to evaluate the condition of mortar joints. Consult Technical Notes 20 for proper water washing techniques. It must be emphasized that, in this case, the purpose of cleaning is not to get a new looking building.

Big Apple Chimney “The Brownstone and Pre-War Specialists” are Fully, Licensed, Insured and Bonded, Chimney and Fireplace Contractors. Primarily Servicing Brooklyn and Manhattan in New York, We also service the New York Metropolitan Area. Our Chimney and Fireplace Experts Specialize in Chimneys and Fireplaces for Pre-War Era Buildings including Brownstones, Townhouses and Carriage Houses.

Big Apple Chimney’s Mechanics and Technicians have been in the Chimney & Fireplace business over 20 years. We are a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited business with an A rating since 2006.

Big Apple Chimney offers Complete Chimney and Fireplace Services, H.V.A.C, Masonry, Roofing and Complete Historical Restoration Services.

We employ Master Masons, Master Carpenters, Licensed Plumbers and Licensed Electricians.

“We will send the right people to do the job, correctly and to your complete satisfaction”.

Call Big Apple Chimney today at 718-648-3998 to speak to our Chimney and Fireplace Specialists and request a free estimate. We service all residential and commercial customers. We are Family Owned and Operated with locations in NYC and Brooklyn.

Call Big Apple Chimney at 718-648-3998 for 24 hour emergency service regarding your chimney or fireplace. We Correct All Violations, if your heat has been turned off due to bad conditions, such as a blockage, a carbon monoxide leak, a draft, flue spillage, leaking soot or water, etc. Our Emergency Service crew is guaranteed to restore your Boiler or Hot Water Heater after a turn off. We are fully qualified to repair and restore your heat in the case of a gas, oil or electric company shut-off! We can also restore your heat and hot water if the Fire Dept., E.P.A. or any other city, state or federal government agency has shut you down.

Big Apple Chimney also provides a full range of inspection services (including but not limited to infra-red camera scanning, carbon monoxide detection), smoke and air flow testing services, reports and affidavits required by NYC Building Code.

Big Apple Chimney is a full service New York City (Manhattan) and Brooklyn based contracting firm specializing in brownstone and pre-war building chimneys and fireplaces. We offer complete masonry services including but not limited to brick pointing, all types of brickwork, chimney crowns, chimney masonry, chimney construction, hand mixed cement and poured concrete, refractory firebrick, heating cement, high temperature smoke chamber cement, tight mortar joints, herringbone designs, (marble, stone, slate, limestone, timber, wood, wooden and custom) fireplace mantles. Fireplace surrounds made from many different materials, shelves and mantels, firewood log storage, mantel cabinets, cast-iron inserts, fireplace dampers, chimney dampers, direct vent, gas fireplaces, wood-burning fireplaces, brick-oven construction and maintenance, venting and ventilation, fresh-air intakes, chimney flashing, chimney caps, gut-renovations, historical fireplace and chimney restoration, chimney repair, heating-ventilating and air conditioning (H.V.A.C). You would be well served to have us involved in your home improvement, renovation or restoration project.

If you need your roof chimney raised, we are qualified in this area of expertise.

Big Apple Chimney can remove and replace your current chimney lining, and install a stainless steel liner in your chimney flue in such case that your old liner is shifting, crumbling, collapsing, collapsed, or non-existent. chimney flue repair, restoration, installation in Brooklyn and New York City is a task we have completed in thousands of homes and buildings, we can reline your chimney or give you all available options regarding your particular situation. We will do the “right job” and offer you only the legal and code compliant options for your chimney flue and fireplace needs.

We are very experienced in complete chimney and fireplace renovations, repair and restoration of brownstone chimneys and pre-war chimney and fireplace construction, including all types and variations of carriage house, townhouse, limestone, brownstone, granite, bluestone, brick, double brick, brick and block, solid masonry buildings, wood frame houses, Italian renaissance, Spanish revival, everything from Victorian era to farmhouse and ranch style houses, multi-family dwelling apartment buildings, historic district, landmark commission approved and NYC building code compliant workmanship is what we are best known for.

If you are looking for New York’s Favorite and most well respected chimney and fireplace company, chances are you are looking for Big Apple Chimney. We are the premier chimney builders and fireplace builders in Brooklyn and Manhattan (see: Fireplace New York City). We are very familiar when it comes to working with, around and protecting decorative moldings, hardwood floors, parquet floors, wood door frames, arched doorways, window frames, original window cases, cement walls, stair banisters, detailed borders, Art Deco, Venetian plaster, high ceilings and all the other pre-war design elements.

If you have a fireplace, boiler or chimney emergency, it may involve a chimney inspection or a fireplace inspection, either with time tested visual analysis methods or with our infra-red camera technology. If there is water or moisture damaging or accumulating near your chimney flue, you may be in need of our chimney leak repair services. If you have been shut down by a utility company or a city, state or federal agency you may have a chimney code violation, this may be caused a chimney blockage, we can repair your chimney and flue to code compliant status. We are qualified at officially restoring your heat or hot water and making sure all chimney violations are corrected.

We also provide a complete array of chimney maintenance, chimney cleaning, and fireplace cleaning services in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Our professional chimney sweeps, and chimney service technicians can help you to prevent creosote build-up, chimney fires, chimney violations, fire code violations and increase and help to ensure your family’s safety from carbon monoxide poisoning. (All homes are required to have CO detectors and smoke alarms installed)