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We completed a block chimney repointing job in Cobourg, Ontario that shows not every chimney that looks rough needs to be rebuilt.
In this case, the homeowner had tried some repointing themselves before calling us in. While the effort was understandable, the mortar they used wasn’t properly installed, leaving the chimney with smears and allowing moisture in.
When we inspected it, the good news was that the chimney itself was still structurally solid. The block work hadn’t shifted or failed the main issue was just the mortar joints breaking down and previous repairs not holding up properly.
Instead of recommending a full rebuild, we stripped out loose and failing mortar and ground the joints to the correct depth. Once everything was cleaned out and prepped, we repointed the chimney using the correct mortar mix.
It also brought back a cleaner, appearance compared to the patchy previous repair.
The homeowner ended up saving a significant amount of money by not needing a rebuild, and the chimney is properly repaired and built to last through Ontario weather cycles.
This job is a reminder that while small repairs can sometimes be done by homeowners, chimney systems are very dependent on proper materials and technique. When done right, repointing can extend a chimney’s life by many years without the cost of tearing it down and starting over.
