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Can You Repair Cracked Fire Bricks?

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brick fireplace with a roaring fire

Curling up in front of a cozy fire is an appealing activity when cold winter weather strikes, and brick fireplaces add a certain charm to this scene. Fire brick has long been a popular material for fireplaces and chimneys due to its beauty, durability, and ability to withstand high temperatures. However, regular maintenance and repairs are key to maintaining these features and ensuring the safety of your fireplace and chimney.

What to use to repair brick mortar

Over time, exposure to heat, weather, and other environmental factors can cause brick mortar to fail. Using the appropriate materials when repairing brick mortar in fireplaces and chimneys is essential to preserving the integrity of these structures. 

Because the mortar in fireplaces is subjected to high temperatures, a special kind of mortar is needed to prevent it from crumbling away. Refractory mortar is the choice of masons because of its ability to withstand heat up to 2,000 degrees. This high-temperature fireplace mortar can be used on mortar joints and fire bricks and comes in a caulk tube, making application simple.

When the mortar in a fireplace or chimney is in need of repair, tuckpointing is a great method for stopping deterioration and promoting structural stability. Tuckpointing is a repair process that involves removing the damaged mortar, replacing it with mortar that is a close color match for the bricks, and then filling in the center of the mortar joints with a line of mortar in a contrasting color. It is of the utmost importance to repair failing mortar joints in chimneys because not doing so can result in a weak chimney that will lean and eventually collapse. 

Can you repair cracked fire bricks?

You absolutely can, and should, repair cracked fire bricks to safeguard against a potentially dangerous situation. Refractory mortar can be used to make minor fire brick repairs, but more significant damage can be fixed using brick cement repair. Fire cement is designed to be flexible and durable in conditions where temperatures fluctuate drastically so is the ideal choice for repairing fire bricks that have cracked or are otherwise damaged. After making the repairs, it is important to gradually increase the heat for four to six hours and then let the bricks cool completely. Wait another six hours before using your fireplace normally, in order to allow the cement to cure.

Repairing brick and mortar degradation in fireplaces and chimneys is imperative to the safety and stability of these structures, and while minor fixes can be handled by handy DIYers, it is wise to consider hiring a professional to fix these sensitive areas. Homeowners can rest easy knowing that the job has been done correctly and safely by someone with the proper materials and expertise.

Fireplace Restoration

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Everybody loves a warm, crackling fire in an old fireplace on a cold night.  But an aging and worn-out fireplace is not only an eyesore, but it can also be a dangerous fire hazard and potentially deadly.  

Common Problems

Cracked Chimney Liner―Today’s chimneys usually have liners made of steel but older ones can have clay or ceramic chimney liners that can become cracked and damaged over time.

Creosote Build-up―Creosote is the nasty residue that’s left behind in your flue when you burn fossil fuels.  When it builds up, it is extremely dangerous because it can ignite from the heat and cause a chimney fire.  Over time, the build-up causes your flue to essentially be smaller and smaller until airflow because compromised and restricted.  This means that while some air goes up through your chimney, what can’t flow easily up and out will come back down into your home and bring with it deadly carbon monoxide.  

Damaged Brickwork―Bricks are extremely durable and may last hundreds of years but mortar does not.  Crumbling mortar can be repaired without removing the entire fireplace or chimney but if it is left unnoticed and in disrepair, it could potentially lead to a collapse.  

Obstruction―If you’re experiencing smoke backing up into your home, it could be because of something as simple as a bird’s nest or something else that made its way into your chimney, but this simple problem could be deadly because it could cause carbon monoxide poisoning or fire.  

Damper Stuck Closed―Sometimes people may not realize that the damper has been closed and is causing smoke to come in but dampers can also get stuck in the closed position due to rust or damage which means smoke won’t go up and out the chimney.

Fireplace Restoration

In most cases, fireplaces can be restored without having to do a complete and expensive tear-down and replacement of the fireplace and chimney.  

A cracked flue can usually be fixed easily by inserting a steel chimney liner in the old flue.  If the restoration includes brickwork, your fireplace or chimney may be restored with a process called tuckpointing.  

Tuckpointing is a process that involves removing the old, deteriorating mortar and replacing it with a mortar that is similar in color to the brick.  Then mortar that is closer in color to the existing mortar is applied, giving the brickwork a straight, even line.  Tuckpointing is strong, water-resistant, and can extend the life of the fireplace or chimney.  It is a corrective and preventative procedure that can save a lot of money over replacement and have you enjoying a cozy fire again in no time. 

Marlon Tuckpointing provides tuckpointing and masonry services to the St. Louis area including complete and spot tuckpointing services as well as chimney repairs, caulking, waterproofing, brickwork, and repairs to chimney caps and flashing. We pride ourselves on the high quality of our work and the satisfaction of all our clients.  For questions or a free estimate call Marlon Tuckpointing LLC at (314) 496-9067 or visit our website and see some of the beautiful restorations we’ve done using tuckpointing. 

How Tuckpointing Can Save Your Fireplace

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Fireplaces and chimneys give a home warmth in both the physical sense as well as in ambiance.  Everyone loves the feel of a cozy warm fireplace on cold winter’s night but if yours is old and falling apart and you worry about the high cost of replacing it so you don’t use it anymore, you’re missing out for nothing.  It’s more than likely that tuckpointing can help and for a lot less than replacement.

What Is Tuckpointing?

Tuckpointing is a process for repairing deteriorating mortar by removing the old, damaged mortar and replacing it with fresh, new mortar.  The mortar is removed using a grinder and replaced with mortar that is the color of the brick and grooves are cut into the new mortar and they are filled with matching mortar.  Tuckpointing can be done in a small area or a complete fireplace or chimney.  It not only gets rid of the deteriorating mortar before it affects the integrity of the chimney, but it also makes it look refreshed and renewed.  

How Tuckpointing Can Save Your Chimney

While bricks can last a hundred years or more, mortar does not.  Over time, it deteriorates from wind, rain, and sun and when the mortar starts to crumble, your chimney may begin to lean and may even collapse.  Or it could cause cracks where water can leak in and damage your home’s interior and lead to mold or wood rot.  However, as long as your chimney isn’t too far gone, tuckpointing can be used to replace the mortar, stopping the corrosion, and restore the integrity of the structure.  After tuckpointing has been performed on your chimney or fireplace, you’ll not only be able to enjoy its warmth again, but it’ll also increase the value of your home.

Tuckpointing is much less expensive than an entire chimney rebuild, and with your chimney restored, there will be less heat loss, saving you money in heating costs too.  

What To Look For

You may not realize that your chimney is in need of repair because so much of it is unseen and most of what you can see is high on your roof.  What you can see may still look good.  If you see stain on the paint or wallpaper around the chimney, there’s a good chance your chimney is leaking and moisture is getting in through damaged areas.  If you see areas where the mortar is crumbling, cracked bricks, musty odors after it rains, or discoloration of bricks, you’re probably experiencing some kind of leak inside the chimney.  If a leak in your chimney is ignored, you could face repair costs that go beyond a chimney. 

We Can Help  

Marlon Tuckpointing does chimney repair and can find and fix your leak, quickly and efficiently.  We provide tuckpointing and masonry services to the St. Louis area including complete and spot tuckpointing services as well as chimney repairs, caulking, waterproofing, brickwork, and repairs to chimney caps and flashing.  For questions or a free estimate call Marlon Tuckpointing LLC at (314) 496-9067.