Tuckpointing: Brick chimney at 409 E. Buffalo

Even when masonry is not the focus of buildings architecture, the necessity of a chimney provides an opportunity for high quality details to be carried out. In this case Tuckpointing was well executed on the brick chimney. While this expression of the masonry craft is a little tarnished, details are still well preserved on under the eaves, where protection from the elements is greatest. Take note that on the face of the chimney with the greatest exposures; the tuckpointing is nearly completely gone, leaving behind only the unifying red colorwash. This gives a muted appearance and an undoubtable suggestion that perhaps the best approach to “fixing” this artwork is to simply paint it red, as was once done in the past to the section above the roof line. Such practices can accelerate decay by causing excess moisture to be trapped in the masonry units (i.e. Brick) and lead to spalling and of course peeling paint.

Also not if you zoom in closely, there a small amount of tuckpointing on the stone Foundation