Rebuild or repoint

[Chris Bernhardt]

With masonry, for example chimneys, how much deterioration in mortar joints is too much to the point a chimney or wall needs to be rebuilt?

I've read that tuck pointing the full brick depth creates a joint inferior to that of laying brick an mortar.

Chris, Oregon

[randynavarro]

On chimneys, its pretty easy for me to make an educated call whether to re-point or re-build.

I don't think I've come across a wall bad enough for me to call for re-build.

Obviously, chimneys wear a lot faster than walls.

Of course, this is wood country. Other mason-heads (Kurt) might have different input.

Did I just call Kurt a mason-head?