A chimney isn’t just a feature designed to add charm and sophistication to a property, it also plays a crucial safety role as well.
For homes that have an open fire, a stove, or any other form of multi-fuel burner, chimneys provide the ventilation needed for hazardous smoke and fumes to escape. Without a chimney, smoke and toxic fumes would enter the home and prove fatal in a matter of minutes. With a chimney, they’re simply vented outdoors.
As well as serving a very real health and safety purpose, chimneys also ensure that fires draw correctly and burn at their most efficient. This, combined with the aesthetic appeal they provide, means that they look great and also help keep you warmer.
Because chimneys are exposed to the elements, however, they are susceptible to general wear and tear and overtime they can become worn and damaged. Particularly the mortar. Repairing chimney mortar can be tricky, but it’s also very possible when you know what you’re doing.
To help bring your chimney back to its best, here is a handy step-by-step DIY chimney mortar repair guide.
Carry Out an Inspection
Before you can press ahead with any repairs and fixes, the first thing you need to do is carry out an inspection of your chimney to inspect the damage.
Inspecting the chimney will help you to assess the extent of the damage and understand exactly what kind of fixes and repairs you need to carry out.
If you are able to do so safely, inspect the chimney from the ground up, paying close attention to the bricks and mortar. Check for any cracks, missing mortar, or general signs of damage. Ideally you should also inspect the inside of the chimney as well.
If you are struggling to assess the damage, or want a thorough inspection, there are professional chimney inspection services out there that can help.
Check You Have the Right Tools and Equipment
When it comes to DIY chimney mortar repair, as you’re carrying out the repairs yourself, it’s essential that you have the correct tools and equipment. This isn’t just to ensure you do a good job, it’s also vital from a safety aspect as well.
You’ll need safety gear like gloves, goggles, breathing apparatus, safety ladders ETC, as well as materials like replacement bricks and mortar, sealant, flashing, and waterproofing solution.
Don’t forget the actual masonry tools themselves either. Without these, carrying out any fixes on the mortar just wouldn’t be possible. You’ll need materials such as a brick hammer, chisel, masonry trowel, bucket, jointing and pointing tools, wire brush, a bucket, and don’t forget the damp cloth.
Prep and Clean the Chimney
Okay, now that you’ve carried out an inspection of the chimney and have gathered the necessary tools and equipment, you’re almost ready to begin replacing the mortar. Before you do, however, you’re going to need to prep and clean the chimney.
This will help to remove any loose dirt, dust, and debris from the surrounding area, plus it means you’ll generally make less mess as you carry out the repair.
Remove any furniture or ornaments below, cover the surrounding area, remove any loose mortar and debris, give everything a quick brush, and then wipe everything down. Make sure the chimney and surrounding area is completely dry before you begin the repair.
Begin the Repair
Now comes the exciting part, as it’s now time to get to work on carrying out your DIY chimney mortar repair.
Once you have safe access to the chimney, go ahead and carefully remove any damaged bricks and/or mortar using a brick hammer and a chisel. Really take your time here, as patience is very much the key. If you’re too heavy handed you could cause further damage. Once you’ve removed the brick and the mortar, carefully clean out the cavity to remove as much debris as you can.
Once as clean and smooth as you can get it, go ahead and mix up the mortar and carefully apply it using your trowel. Now insert your sturdy new replacement brick by pressing it securely into the mortar, making sure it adheres the bricks surrounding it.
Work on Those Mortar Joints
Once you’ve gone ahead and have removed and replaced each and every damaged brick on the chimney, you can go ahead and get to work on the mortar joints themselves.
Once you’ve mixed up the mortar correctly, carefully apply a generous amount of mortar to the joints around your new replacement bricks.
Using a jointing tool or trowel, really take care to blend the mortar joints together. Ideally you want a natural look that just flows seamlessly with the older mortar.
You must ensure that the mortar is evenly distributed throughout, and that it fills all gaps. If you leave the slightest gap, this could jeopardize the integrity of the replacement brick. Not only that, but if moisture were to get into the gap, it could freeze in the winter and expand, causing even more extensive damage.
When filling the gaps with mortar between the bricks, go for a concave shape, rather than a smooth and flat surface. This will help to assist with rain water runoff during bad weather.
Finishing Touches
Once you’ve carried out the repairs and are satisfied that they have taken, you will need to wait, and then carry out the last finishing touches. Allow up to 48 hours for the mortar to fully cure. Try to choose days where no bad weather is forecast, as wet weather is the last thing you want.
Once the mortar is completely dry, you can go ahead and waterproof and seal the chimney. A layer or two of waterproofing solution will help to protect against the elements and will help keep your chimney looking its best.
Now you can carefully clean up any mess you made, put away your tools and equipment, step back and admire your handiwork.