Chimney Tuckpointing: Do’s and Don’ts for Selecting Mortar

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter. 

Why adding the right caulk when tuckpointing will deliver unmatched results to your clients. 

While the bricks in a chimney can last for decades, mortar has a shorter lifespan. The mortar can deteriorate over time due to harsh conditions or weather, but the bricks themselves can still be in good shape. Thus, tuckpointing comes into play.  

The most cost-effective option for homeowners is to repair the affected areas of their chimney. Specially formulated caulks, like Sascho’s Mor-Flexx caulk, ensure good adhesion on brick and other masonry services significantly extending the lifespan of a chimney. Additionally, caulking can provide an airtight, watertight seal between two materials, and can make a chimney more efficient.   

If you are looking to create happy customers to boost your reviews and gain referrals, then you will want to ensure you are using the best caulk to deliver the best results to your clients, so follow this guide for selecting the best caulk for the job. 

Do: Select a weatherproof product 

It might seem obvious, weatherproofing a chimney is crucial. It is the best way to prevent chimney leaks and will protect and preserve the chimney for much longer. A waterproof and high-durability caulk, like Mor-Flexx, is the key to creating a tight, long-lasting seal that permanently weatherproofs the chimney.   

Don’t: Choose a silicone caulk

Silicone caulk is a quick fix, but will likely crack and hardly last more than six months. Silicone caulks are not made to handle movement without pulling away or cracking. Using this type of caulk will likely require callbacks because it is not customized for brick-and-mortar adhesion. You will be much better off using a flexible caulk that maintains its elasticity over time.  

Do: Choose a mortar-compatible product 

Mor-Flexx has a textured matte finish which is a better match with a realistic mortar finish for all EIFS, mortar, stucco, concrete, stone installations and repair needs. Mor-Flexx blends well with the chimney and is compatible with latex paint and most oil-based paints, sealers and stains. It won’t cause paint gloss, making it easy to use on any color for a discreet repair. Mor-Flexx may look like mortar and stucco but it stretches like rubber, staying elastic year after year to provide strong, stable support.  

Don’t: Spend time mixing your mortar on the roof 

As a roofer, you know that time is money when you are on the job. Mortar mixing for a tuckpointing job can get in the way of a busy schedule, so you will want to choose a caulk that is simple to use and carry onto the roof. Forget the concrete powder, mix bucket and big trowel. Just squeeze in Mor-Flexx to repair crumbly mortar.  Mor-Flexx has a water-based formula for easy application and easy water clean-up without being a stinky, stringy mess. Mor-flexx even works on damp surfaces. 

Do: Prioritize longevity 

When tuckpointing your main goal is to prevent a complete repointing job down the road, so make sure your product is a proven, durable solution. You want to choose a caulk that is able to move with a future settling to provide long-lasting results. Mor-Flexx is an elastomeric with powerful adhesion, it won’t tear, crack or pull away, but will stretch. Mor-Flexx can stretch up to three inches wide with no slumping, staying where it is applied for a permanent, tight seal. 

Don’t: Select a product that stands out 

You want to maintain the aesthetics of the chimney by blending the caulk in perfectly with the existing mortar to create a seamless design. The textured formula of Mor-Flexx is so easy to apply, smooth out and clean up that even a novice can execute a seamlessly blended, beautiful repair on crumbly mortar. Plus, Mor-Flexx comes in multiple colors and is paintable to ensure a tuckpointing job that basically looks invisible and maintains the beauty of the chimney. 

Conclusion 

Ultimately, caulking is a solution in addition to typical mortar. When selecting a caulk for a tuckpointing job, it is best to go with a simple solution that looks good and lasts. Selecting a product with a weatherproof seal, that blends to easily disguise repairs and stays elastic over time so you don’t have to come back to do the same repairs will save you and your clients time and money. If you are looking to amaze your customers by delivering incredible results and add value to your work by reducing call backs and creating a beautiful finish, consider adding Mor-Flexx to your tuckpointing jobs. 

Learn more about Sashco in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.sashco.com.