Had my chimney repointed last fall and wanted to share what I learned about the process and pricing for GTA homeowners.
Why Chimneys Fail in Ontario
Freeze-thaw cycling is brutal on mortar. Water gets into hairline cracks, freezes overnight, expands, and blows out the mortar over years of cycling. Most homes built before 1990 are due for mortar attention.
What I Had Done
My 1960s Toronto home had significant mortar deterioration on the upper half of the chimney plus a cracked crown. The mason:
- Repointed the full chimney face (approximately 80 sq ft)
- Replaced the chimney crown
- Installed a stainless steel chimney cap
Total cost: $2,100. He quoted $1,800 for mortar only but the crown was visibly cracked and leaking.
Repointing vs Tuckpointing
Repointing = remove deteriorated mortar, replace with new. This is the standard repair.
Tuckpointing = decorative two-colour technique used mostly on historic homes to mimic fine brick joint lines.
Most Ontario homes need repointing, not tuckpointing.
WETT Certification
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, any related chimney work should involve a WETT certified tech. Required for home insurance and resale. My mason was WETT certified.
Typical Cost Ranges GTA 2026
Repointing: $15-$25/sq ft of face area
Crown repair/replacement: $400-$900
Flashing replacement: $500-$1,500
Full rebuild above roofline: $3,000-$8,000
Do not defer chimney maintenance - water damage from a failed chimney can reach into the $10,000s.