Chimney mortar is used in fireplaces and needs to be heat resistant. Regular inspection and repair is important to prevent damage and instability. Homeowners can repair minor damage, but professionals should be called for major repairs.
Chimney mortar is a type of mortar designed to be used in fireplaces. The process of applying grout to a new fireplace is known as pointing, while repairs are known as repointing. A related process, tuckpointing, involves using two contrasting colors of grout to create the illusion of a very fine joint. Many hardware stores sell fireplace grout and can order specialty products upon request.
Like other types of mortar, fireplace mortar is an adhesive product designed to hold pieces of masonry such as bricks or rocks together. In addition to acting as an adhesive, fireplace grout also needs to be somewhat heat resistant so that it won’t be damaged by the high temperatures in the fireplace. The mortar keeps the flue stable and prevents water from entering the flue and the surrounding structure. Chimney mortar is sold in the form of a dry powder which must be mixed by the user when needed.
Dressing is often recommended on a regular basis for brick and stone fireplaces. If the mortar is left to rot, it can destabilize the chimney, potentially creating a dangerous situation. When mortar cracks and breaks, it also admits water, which can create water damage, promote mold growth, and allow bricks to crack under stress. Chimneys should be regularly inspected from top to bottom for signs of grout damage and promptly reconditioned when damage is identified.
If discovered early, fireplace grout damage can be repaired by a homeowner, working within a day or weekend to carefully remove the old grout section by section and replace it with freshly mixed fireplace grout. This is best done when the fireplace is not going to be used in the foreseeable future, allowing the mortar plenty of time to harden. Ideally, a month should pass, although specific products may have more specific recommendations.
If the mortar is badly damaged, the bricks are cracked or missing, or the fireplace appears to be leaning or sagging, it’s not safe to do the backing as a DIY project. A professional should be called in to determine if the fireplace can or should be salvaged and to perform the job. The fireplace may need to be torn down and rebuilt if it is badly damaged. Persons attempting to repair unstable fireplaces themselves could run the risk of causing the fireplace to collapse, which could result in serious injury and/or property damage.
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