Repointing sounds like the simplest chimney repair there is, and in principle it is, but on the older masonry common throughout Montpelier it is also the repair most often done badly, usually because of one avoidable mistake: using the wrong mortar. Getting this right matters more here than on newer housing, because the consequences of getting it wrong are more serious and more expensive to undo.
Older brick, of the kind found in Montpelier's Georgian and Victorian terraces, is typically softer and more porous than modern brick, and was originally built using lime mortar to match. Lime mortar is slightly flexible and allows moisture that gets into the wall to evaporate back out through the joint, rather than being trapped. Modern cement-based mortar does the opposite — it is hard, rigid and largely impermeable, which forces any moisture in the wall to find another way out, usually through the face of the brick itself. This principle applies to the whole wall, not just the chimney, but a chimney stack is more exposed than almost any other part of the building, so the consequences of the wrong mortar tend to show up there first.
This is precisely how a well-intentioned repointing job using the wrong mortar can end up causing spalling — cracked, flaking or crumbling brick faces — within just a few years, even though the pointing itself looks perfectly sound. It is a frustrating outcome for a homeowner who has just paid for a repair, and it is entirely avoidable by using a lime-based mix suited to the original construction.
Beyond the mortar mix, older masonry also needs a gentler hand during preparation. Raking out failed joints on soft, older brick requires care to avoid damaging the brick edges themselves, something that is easier to rush on a modern hard brick but genuinely risks the brickwork on a period chimney if done carelessly. Power tools used carelessly for this stage can chip and widen joints far beyond what is necessary, so hand tools or a light touch are usually the more appropriate approach on genuinely old brickwork.
Colour matching matters more visually on period properties too, since Montpelier's terraces are often viewed as a continuous streetscape, and a chimney repointed in an obviously mismatched grey cement rather than a mortar toned to match the original stands out against the neighbouring roofline in a way that a less visible property might not notice as much.
If a chimney on an older property in Montpelier needs repointing, it is worth confirming the contractor is using an appropriate lime mortar rather than a standard cement mix. Brunel Roofing Bristol repoints period masonry correctly as a matter of course, with a free inspection beforehand and a 15-year guarantee on the finished work.
Get a Free Quote for Chimney Repairs in Montpelier
Every chimney is different — the fastest way to get an accurate answer is a quick chat with our team.