Brick, chimneys and foundations
Repointing in mortar that suits the old brick, chimney repair, and the brick and granite under many Portland houses.
Old brick was laid with soft lime mortar. A hard modern mortar can crack the brick it holds. We repoint in a mortar matched to the old in strength and color, repair chimneys from the roofline up, and work on the brick and granite foundations under older houses. Freeze and thaw is what we plan around.
What we don't do
We don't sandblast or acid-wash brick, and we don't coat it with a sealer.
What's included
Repointing in mortar matched to the old
Chimney tops rebuilt; caps and flashing repaired
Loose brick reset; spalled brick replaced to match
Granite and brick foundation walls repaired and repointed
Damp and white salts on a wall traced to their source
Pricing
What changes the cost
We print no figures. These are the things that move the number.
How much of the wall is open
Joints that need work on one face cost differently from a whole house.
Height
A chimney or a gable means scaffolding, and scaffolding is part of the price.
The mortar
Matching the color, the tooling and the strength takes test batches.
Brick that must be replaced
Matching old brick can mean salvage and a wait.
Where the water comes from
A failing gutter or roof edge above the wall is part of the fix.
The work, in order
How the work goes
Step 1: Test the old mortar
We take a sample and match its strength and color before we mix a batch.
Step 2: Plan the work
We agree on the extent, the joint style and the access.
Step 3: Rake out
Old joints are cut out to a sound depth by hand or with a low-vibration tool.
Step 4: Repoint in the right weather
Lime mortar needs temperatures above freezing to cure, so we set the dates to spring through fall.
Step 5: Protect while it cures
Fresh work is kept damp and shaded.
Step 6: Walk-through
We look at the wall with you in raking light, then at the gutters above it.
Permits and rules
Chimney and flue
A chimney that serves a heating appliance may need an inspection before it is used again. We flag it in the notes.
Historic districts
Masonry changes on the outside of a house in a Portland historic district can need the city's review. We help you find out what applies at your address.
The season
Masonry runs from spring into fall. We book it in winter.
Questions about this work
Why not use a modern mortar?
It is harder than old brick. When the wall moves with the seasons, the brick, not the mortar, is what cracks. A softer mortar gives instead.
Does my brick need sealing?
Generally not. A sealer can trap water in the wall. We look for where the water is coming in instead.
Can you stop my basement wall from leaking?
Often the cause is above ground: a gutter, the grade or a broken downspout. We trace that first, then repoint if the wall needs it.
Tell us about the house
A house visit is the first step. We write down what we see before we talk about a price.