Essex County, New Jersey
Chimney Repointing and Masonry Repair in Montclair, NJ
About two-thirds of Montclair's housing predates 1950. Repointing older brick well depends on matching the mortar to the brick, not the other way round.
Montclair, in Essex County, has some of the oldest housing in this guide: about 65% of homes predate 1950 and the Census median build year is 1939 or earlier. Only half the housing is detached and 57% of occupied homes are owner-occupied, so chimneys here range from single-family houses to larger buildings.
This page describes how we approach older brick, with the reasoning, so you can judge a proposal when you receive one.
In older masonry, repointing is probably the most common repair and the easiest to do badly.
Learn
Matching mortar when repointing
Repointing means replacing deteriorated mortar joints. In older masonry, the replacement mortar should be softer than the brick, not harder. The National Park Service's Preservation Brief on repointing says that mortar should be no harder than the original masonry units, because the mortar is meant to give way before the brick does. Hard modern cement mortar in soft old brick forces the brick to take the stress and can damage its face.
The same guidance recommends matching the color, texture and joint profile of the original, and removing old mortar carefully by hand or with appropriate tools so the brick edges are not damaged. When choosing a contractor for this, ask about the mortar being used and how the old mortar will be removed. Our repointing page describes the work, and repointing versus rebuilding helps decide how far to go.
The mortar is the sacrificial part. It should be the first thing to wear, not the brick.
Housing profile
What the housing mix means in Montclair
Montclair mixes old detached houses with many attached and multi-unit buildings. Where a building has several units, a chimney is often a shared responsibility, and the first question is who commissions the work. Older brick then calls for mortar matched to it.
Unused flues
Chimneys no longer in use
Older buildings often have flues that are no longer used. An unused flue should still be capped so rain and animals stay out. If you are unsure whether yours are in use, closing off an unused fireplace explains what that involves.
What we look at
What older brick tells you
Joint depth
Mortar worn back more than a little means water is reaching the brick.
Mortar color and texture
Patches that do not match show where earlier repairs were made.
Soft brick
Older brick can be softer than modern brick and wears faster.
Crown and cap
Even a perfectly repointed stack fails if the top lets water in.
Symptoms
| Symptom | Possible cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Recessed or sandy joints | Eroded mortar | Repointing |
| Loose or shifted bricks | Failed mortar and movement | Rebuild the affected section |
| Stained brick below the crown | Water at the top | Crown and cap check |
| A leaning stack | Structural movement | Prompt assessment |
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if repointing is enough?
If the bricks themselves are sound and only the joints have worn, repointing usually suffices. If bricks are loose, cracked or the stack leans, a partial rebuild may be needed.
Can you match old mortar?
We aim to match color, texture and hardness. Ask for the details in any proposal.
Is a leaning chimney an emergency?
It deserves prompt attention. See when a chimney leans or cracks.
Service areas
Other areas we serve
Chimney Academy
Guides that go with this page
Questions about your chimney in Montclair?
Call us, or send a scheduling request. We will contact you to confirm. Your appointment is not confirmed until we do.