What's the typical cost for chimney tuckpointing on a two-storey Ottawa home with deteriorated mortar joints from ice storm damage?

Tuckpointing a two-storey masonry chimney in Ottawa after ice storm damage typically runs $1,500 to $3,500, though some cases with extensive deterioration can reach $4,000 or higher. The final cost depends heavily on how much of the chimney needs attention, whether the damage is concentrated or scattered throughout the structure, and whether your contractor discovers additional problems once they begin opening up the joints.

Why Ottawa's climate makes this worse than most places

Ice storms are a fact of life in the National Capital Region — we average one major ice storm every two to three years, and the weight of ice plus freeze-thaw cycling that follows causes real damage to mortar joints. Ottawa's extreme temperature swings (regularly -25 to -30 degrees Celsius in winter, then warming above freezing during January thaws) force water into mortar cracks repeatedly. That water expands roughly 9 percent when it freezes, pushing mortar out of joints and widening cracks even further. Over time, especially after an ice storm that shakes the entire structure, you end up with loose mortar that has to be professionally repointed before water penetration accelerates deterioration of the entire chimney.

The problem worsens if the damage extends below the roofline into areas that are difficult to access safely. A two-storey chimney means your contractor is working at significant height with proper safety equipment, which adds labour costs compared to a single-storey job. If the ice storm damage is concentrated to the exposed sections above the roofline — which is typical — you're looking at the lower end of that cost range. If mortar failure extends down the visible chimney face, or if your contractor discovers that the interior flue has also been compromised, costs climb significantly.

What the work actually involves: Tuckpointing is precise, labour-intensive masonry work. Your contractor carefully removes deteriorated mortar from joints (typically to a depth of 2 to 2.5 times the mortar joint width) without damaging the surrounding brick. Fresh mortar matching the original colour, composition, and strength is then packed tightly into the cleaned joints and finished to match the original profile. In Ottawa, this must be done when temperatures are consistently above 5 degrees Celsius — ideally 10 to 15 degrees — so the mortar cures properly. Work done in late fall or early spring when temperatures are borderline risks mortar failure.

Cost factors specific to your chimney

A two-storey chimney on an older Ottawa home (common in neighbourhoods like Rockcliffe, Sandy Hill, the Glebe, and New Edinburgh) typically means a masonry chimney roughly 25 to 35 feet tall and 24 to 36 inches wide. The total surface area exposed to weather is significant, and if ice storm damage affected multiple sides of the chimney, the scope expands. Your contractor will also assess whether the chimney crown (the concrete or mortar cap at the very top) has cracked or separated — a common ice storm casualty in Ottawa — because crown repair or replacement often runs $300 to $1,200 and is frequently needed alongside tuckpointing.

Heritage designation matters in Ottawa. If your home is in a heritage district (Glebe, Sandy Hill, New Edinburgh, Rockcliffe Park, or NCC-protected areas), your contractor may need to match the original mortar composition and joint profile precisely, which can limit material choices and add time. This might add $200 to $400 to the estimate, but it's worth doing correctly to maintain heritage value and ensure long-term durability.

Important considerations and common pitfalls

This is absolutely professional work — tuckpointing from a ladder or scaffold at height on a two-storey structure is not a DIY project. Beyond the safety risk, poor tuckpointing fails quickly in Ottawa's climate. If mortar is packed too loosely or finished incorrectly, water infiltration will resume immediately, and you'll be paying again in a few years.

Get at least three written quotes that specify: which sections of the chimney will be tuckpointed (ideally with a photo marked to show scope), what mortar type and colour will be used, whether the crown will be assessed and what crown work is included or excluded, the timeline (crucial for spring/fall work when weather windows are tight), and whether the contractor will warranty the work. Most reputable Ottawa masons offer a 5 to 10-year warranty on tuckpointing if mortar has been properly specified and the work is done in appropriate weather conditions.

One critical point: if you had an ice storm, your homeowner's insurance may cover chimney damage if it was directly caused by the ice load or falling ice. Contact your insurance company before hiring a contractor and ask whether this work qualifies for coverage. Even if it does, you'll typically have a deductible ($500 to $1,000 is common), so factor that into your planning.

When you're ready to move forward, you can browse experienced masonry contractors through the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com/directory — they'll be able to assess whether your chimney needs tuckpointing alone or whether crown repair, flashing work, or other issues discovered during inspection need to be addressed.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects Ottawa homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Justyn Rook Contracting
• RenoMotion Inc.
• The Fixer
• Diamond renovations
• Treka Construction Group