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
- (a) 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. (b) see re-point.
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. Re-Pointing includes (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. (It must be emphasized that, in this case, the
purpose of cleaning is not to get a new looking building, but to detect structural damage in the brickwork.)
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 212-785-9788
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. Please call 212-785-9788 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. We also provide 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 combines their expert knowledge in NYC building code with
their unequaled experience in brownstone and pre-war buildings to provide their
clients with the best chimney and fireplace service in NYC.)
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 brownstone fireplaces, 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 with 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)
WE ARE A FULL SERVICE GENERAL CONTRACTING FIRM [H.I.C.L. 1174732/ H.I.S.L.1174729] Business Integrity Commission Registration #2590
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