Chimney Cap Installation
Stainless steel caps for brick chimneys and stainless chase tops for chimneys wrapped in siding.
Chimney Tuckpointing in Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids Elite Chimney Sweep handles chimney tuckpointing in Grand Rapids, MI: grinding out tired mortar joints, packing in fresh mortar and replacing any loose bricks.
Last updated
Why Chimney Mortar Fails
Mortar is the glue between the bricks. In a Furniture City dovetail joint it would be the wood glue: when it dries out, the joint walks. On a chimney, the top few feet take the most weather, so those joints go first. We test our mortar on 3 or 4 color samples before we touch the wall.
Tuckpointing means cutting the old mortar out about half an inch to three quarters deep and packing in new. It's like recaulking the tub: you cut out the tired stuff before you put in the new. In Grand Rapids it typically costs $600 to $2,800, depending on how much of the chimney needs it and how tall it is. We grind joints to about 3/4 inch deep, our crew finishes most chimneys in 1 to 2 days, and honestly we'd rather do it in a mild week than rush it in a cold one.
Call (616) 317-7774 to get chimney mortar looked at.
Questions?Contact UsChimney Tuckpointing and Brick Repair Options in Grand Rapids
Most chimneys only need the top few feet done. The rest depends on what the close look on the roof shows.
Full Chimney Tuckpointing
Every joint on the chimney gets ground out and repacked, from the roof line to the crown. It's the right call when the mortar is tired all the way down.
Spot Tuckpointing at the Top
Weather hammers the top 4 to 8 rows the most. Often those are the only rows that need work, and the joints below are fine. Fixing just those saves money.
Loose Brick Replacement
Bricks that wiggle, lean or have fallen out get replaced and set in fresh mortar. We match the color as close as the supplies allow.
Chimney Repointing
Repointing is the same job as tuckpointing under another name. In Michigan most people say tuckpointing, and the work and the price don't change.
Spalled Brick Replacement
Spalling is when the face of a brick flakes off because water froze inside it. Badly spalled bricks get cut out and replaced, because mortar alone can't fix them.
Crumbling Mortar Repair After a Leak
If water has been getting in at the joints, we repair the mortar first and trace the leak second. See chimney leak repair if you have a stain inside.
Chimney Tuckpointing Prices in Grand Rapids
- Spot tuckpointing at the top: typically $600 to $1,200
- Full chimney tuckpointing: typically $1,200 to $2,800
- Loose brick replacement: typically $150 to $600, depending on how many
- Time: one to two days for most chimneys
Typical Grand Rapids ranges for 2026, not a quote. A tall or hard-to-reach chimney costs more.
What Every Tuckpointing Job Includes
- A close look at every joint, from the roof line up
- Old mortar ground out to the right depth, usually half an inch to three quarters
- Fresh mortar packed in and tooled to match the existing joint
- Loose bricks replaced and set in new mortar
- Dust and old mortar cleaned up, and a digital report with photos emailed to you
Tuckpointing, Repointing and Brick Repair: What's the Difference?
People use tuckpointing and repointing for the same job: replacing the mortar between the bricks. Brick repair is a separate item, where a damaged brick itself gets swapped. A chimney often needs a little of each.
| Job | When you need it | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Spot tuckpointing | Mortar failing in the top few rows | $600 to $1,200 |
| Full tuckpointing | Mortar tired from the roof line to the crown | $1,200 to $2,800 |
| Brick replacement | Loose, cracked or flaking bricks | $150 to $600 |
Signs Your Chimney Needs Tuckpointing
- Mortar you can scratch out with a house key
- Joints sunk back from the face of the bricks
- A gap a dime can slide into
- White powder on the brick
- Loose or leaning bricks near the top
How Deep We Cut
The Brick Industry Association says to take old mortar out to a uniform depth of about half an inch to three quarters of an inch for repointing. Cut too shallow and the new mortar pops out in a couple of winters. Cut too deep and you weaken the brick. We use a grinder and then clean the dust out of the joint so the new mortar bonds.
Why Color and Hardness Matter
New mortar needs to be softer than the brick, not harder. Hard mortar on soft old brick forces the brick to take the freezing stress, and then the brick spalls. Matching the old joint in color and strength is the part nobody sees and everybody pays for later.
What a Close Look Often Shows
On a ranch in Grandville, the top eight rows were wide open while the joints below them were fine. We repointed the top eight rows and left the rest alone. That was a $900 job instead of a $2,500 one.
Tuckpointing, Crowns and Waterproofing
We do the crown before the joints, because a leaking crown wets fresh mortar. See chimney crown repair. A clear water repellent can help afterward, but it doesn't fix open joints, and we'll say so. If the chimney leans or the bricks are loose all the way down, look at a chimney rebuild.
Every Visit Ends With a Written Report
A digital report of the camera scan with photos, and repair quotes you can read at the kitchen table. Nothing gets booked until you say so.
Before you book
Chimney Tuckpointing Questions
How Long Does Tuckpointing Last?
Done right, it lasts decades. The mortar that fails soonest is on the top few feet, which see the most weather, so spot work at the top comes up again before the lower joints do.
Can Tuckpointing Be Done in Winter?
Mortar needs temperatures above freezing to cure well, so we schedule it for mild days. A freeze before the mortar sets will crack it, and that means doing the job twice.
Will New Mortar Match the Old?
As close as we can get it. Old mortar fades and stains, so a fresh joint can look lighter for a season. It darkens and blends in as the weather works on it.
Is Tuckpointing the Same as Repointing?
Yes, they are two names for the same job. Tuckpointing is the word most people in West Michigan use, and repointing is the one in the masonry books. We use both on this site because people search for both in Grand Rapids, and the work is identical either way.
Questions we hear
Chimney Tuckpointing FAQs
How much does chimney tuckpointing cost in Grand Rapids?
Chimney tuckpointing in Grand Rapids typically costs $600 to $1,200 when only the top few rows need work, and $1,200 to $2,800 for the full chimney. Loose brick replacement adds about $150 to $600, depending on how many bricks. A taller or harder-to-reach chimney costs more.
What is chimney tuckpointing?
Chimney tuckpointing is cutting the old mortar out of the joints between the bricks, about half an inch to three quarters deep, and packing in fresh mortar. It stops water getting in and holds the bricks tight. Repointing is another name for the same job.
How do I know if my chimney needs tuckpointing?
Look for mortar you can scratch out with a key, joints sunk back from the face of the bricks, a gap a dime fits into, or white powder on the brick. Loose bricks near the top are a stronger sign. A roof look during a sweep or inspection gives the surest answer.
How long does chimney tuckpointing take?
Most chimneys take one to two days, with setup, grinding, mortar and cleanup all counted in. A short chimney with only the top rows open can finish in a day, and a tall one with joints open all the way down takes longer. Mortar must cure above freezing, so the weather matters.
Can I tuckpoint my chimney myself?
You can, but the roof and the grinder are the hard part. Cutting the joint to a depth of half an inch to three quarters takes practice, and mortar that's too hard or poorly packed fails in two winters. Most homeowners find hiring out costs less than doing it twice.
What happens if I don't repair crumbling chimney mortar?
Water gets into the open joints, freezes and pushes bricks apart, and the damage grows each winter. A $600 to $1,200 spot repair can turn into a $2,000 to $6,500 partial rebuild. Mortar is the cheapest part of the chimney to fix, and the cheapest to put off too long.
What Our Customers Are Saying
Learn more about how we work.
PhotosWith every reportThe camera scan comes back as pictures you can keep, so you can show a roofer, an agent or your spouse.Contact Us
Our Other Chimney Services
Chimney Crown Repair
Hairline cracks sealed and coated, or a broken-up crown rebuilt with a sloped slab that sheds water.
Chimney Inspection
Level 1, 2 and 3 inspections with a camera scan of the whole flue and a photo report emailed to you.
Chimney Leak Repair
Flashing, crown, brick or cap: we trace the water first, then fix the part that is letting it in.
Chimney Liner Installation
Cracked clay tile sealed with HeatShield, or a new insulated stainless steel liner the full height of the flue.
Chimney Rebuild
Partial and full rebuilds that take down only the brick that has failed and lay it back up straight.
Where We Do This Work
Chimney service requests
Book Your Sweep, Inspection or Repair Quote
Leave your name, number and a line about the chimney. We call you back during office hours to set a time.
- Camera scan with every sweep
- Written report with photos
- CSIA-certified sweeps on the crew