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OT: Repointing a Chimney - questions


BottomHeavyKate

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All right home improvement guys....

 

I want to repoint my chimney. I've worked with cement before, I've worked on top of a roof before....but I've never done any tuck pointing.

 

While I'm confident in my ability to get this done well - should I wait for warmer months to do it? Will the cold weather affect the mortar?

 

Any other tips?

 

:wave:

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As long as it's not likely to have a hard frost for the first couple days, you're okay. Steady 50 to 70F is supposed to be ideal. Won't freeze, won't dry fast. Also, a trick a mason at work told me is this: When you patch and tuck point with mortar, try to make the slot dove-tailed or t-slotted in shape, so that there's a wider volume in back to help hold the mortar in place. V-slotting is a guarantee it will not hold in long, and flat rectanguar slotting is the least you want to do. So, if you can't get any extra purchase in width, like a true dovetail, try getting extra in back at the ends, along the seam.

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As long as it's not likely to have a hard frost for the first couple days, you're okay. Steady 50 to 70F is supposed to be ideal. Won't freeze, won't dry fast. Also, a trick a mason at work told me is this: When you patch and tuck point with mortar, try to make the slot dove-tailed or t-slotted in shape, so that there's a wider volume in back to help hold the mortar in place. V-slotting is a guarantee it will not hold in long, and flat rectanguar slotting is the least you want to do. So, if you can't get any extra purchase in width, like a true dovetail, try getting extra in back at the ends, along the seam.

 

 

Awesome! I've not done this before and I was wondering how I was going to get extra mortor to the back...

 

thanks!

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just wearing down. it's an 80 year old house and I want to sell it within two years. trying to fix up as much as possible.




Awesome! I've not done this before and I was wondering how I was going to get extra mortor to the back...


thanks!

 

 

A new cap though might help it from eroding more and keep the patch work in better.

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