As we’re now in the midst of winter, you certainly don’t need anybody to tell you just how cold it can be. With rising energy costs and cold weather setting in, keeping warm in the winter is not only getting harder, it’s also becoming more expensive. This is where having an open fire or a stove can be so beneficial.
Both open fires and stoves not only help to keep homes warm and cozy, they can also add value to a property and can help to keep energy costs low in the process. Of course, like anything, if you want to ensure that your fire/stove works correctly and safely, it will need to be maintained and well looked after.
As far as fire maintenance goes, your chimney is the most important consideration. A damaged chimney not only looks unsightly, it can also affect how your fire draws by impacting airflow, and can also pose significant safety risks as well.
If your chimney is in need of repair or maintenance, chimney repointing could be on the cards. But how much does chimney repointing cost in terms of DIY vs a professional, and just how easy is it?
What is a Chimney?
A chimney is a vertical structure that is designed to help ventilate smoke and other exhaust gasses produced by an open fire, a boiler, furnace, or a stove. It assists with airflow for a fire and removes harmful smoke which would otherwise be extremely dangerous, and even fatal.
Usually made from masonry, a chimney typically contains either a passage or a flue to help exhaust gases and/or smoke away from a fire, boiler, furnace, or stove.
In order to keep an open fire functioning safely and correctly, regular chimney maintenance is vital. For example, chimneys need sweeping regularly as they can get coated with creosote which can cause them to become blocked and can eventually combust, resulting in a house fire.
Because chimneys are exposed to the elements, overtime they can begin to deteriorate and may require what is known as repointing.
What is Chimney Repointing?
Chimney repointing is a restorative procedure carried out to help repair and replace damaged mortar on a chimney. If a chimney has small areas of damage, but does not need to be rebuilt, repointing is the most obvious solution.
If mortar begins to deteriorate, or is chipped or damaged, it will need to be repaired and replaced. If left untreated, the problem will only get worse and eventually this could threaten the structural integrity of your chimney, not to mention its efficiency.
Chimney repointing not only repairs damaged mortar, it also helps to improve the overall aesthetics of your chimney as well, and gives it more of a newer, cleaner appearance. This looks great and can also help to add value to a property.
Mortar repointing involves the removal of old, damaged, worn mortar which is then carefully replaced with fresh mortar to give it a new appearance.
DIY Chimney Repointing Tips
Chimney repointing is not as easy as it sounds, and if done incorrectly it will not only look unsightly, but it could affect the structural integrity of your chimney. If done correctly however, it can improve your chimney’s overall aesthetics and can save you money in the process.
If you’re thinking of repointing your chimney yourself, here are several DIY chimney repointing tips to make the job easier and safer.
Gather the Necessary Safety Equipment
First and foremost, if you are thinking of repointing a chimney yourself, you must ensure that you do so safely. This means gathering the necessary safety equipment.
Safety ladders, protective clothing, eyewear, gloves, masks, scaffolding, flashlight, and other tools and equipment must be used before you make your way up to the chimney. Never cut corners as this could be costly and very dangerous.
Assess the Levels of Damage
If you are thinking of repointing a chimney yourself, it’s down to you to assess the levels of damage to determine whether repointing is the solution.
The best way of assessing the damage is of course to get up there and examine the chimney, though there are other tell-tale signs to watch out for. Inside the home, if you can see any signs of discoloration or mold, this could be due to water damage caused by a chimney allowing moisture into the home.
If you are able to examine your chimney safely, inspect the whole thing and ensure that it is just the damage that needs replacing. If the chimney is damaged, it may need to be rebuilt.
Remove the Old Mortar
Once you’ve identified which parts of the old mortar need replacing it’s down to you to begin scraping it away.
Using the right tool, I.E a chisel or masonry tool, get rid of any damaged or worn mortar. Be thorough here, and make sure you get rid of it all. If you try to apply new mortar on top of damaged or worn mortar it won’t adhere properly.
Add new Mortar
Now the time has come to begin repointing by adding new mortar. Wet the now-exposed mortar joints liberally and carefully and neatly add new mortar into the joints, making sure it is fully sealed and even. If you leave any gaps, this will not only let water in, but it will also crack.
Hire a Professional if Unsure
If you are unsure about what you’re doing, or your own abilities or safety, go ahead and hire a professional and have them take care of things for you.
Professionals will do a safe and thorough job, they’ll have the correct tools and equipment, they’ll carry out the work safely, and they should offer a guarantee as well.
DIY vs Professional – What are the Costs of Repointing a Chimney?
If you are looking to save costs on a chimney repointing, if you are able to carry out the work you could save a few hundred bucks as it will cost around $500 on average for a DIY repointing job. If you hire a professional, a chimney repointing could cost up to $2,000.
While it may seem cheaper to carry out the work yourself, you also need to factor in your own time, and the costs of any materials or equipment that you need to purchase. These costs can all add up so it may be easier and perhaps even cheaper, to hire a professional to carry out the work instead.