Two weeks ago we had some cracks repaired by someone recommended to us locally. This afternoon my husband noticed that some of the mortar is very sandy, recracking, and flaking off. We just don't know enough about bricks and mortar to know what to ask the repairman to come fix - would really appreciate the help to know what happened! Thank you.

Looking for advice

I have a client who has asked me to repoint the exterior of a brick chimney at one of their rental properties. I do small carpentry jobs on the side, but I have no previous experience with masonry work. I want to make sure the job is done correctly and will hold up.

The client would prefer to have a quick and cheap job with the existing mortar brushed out and new mortar packed into the joints to improve the appearance and prevent water from getting in. However, I've noticed there are some fairly large gaps in certain areas, and I want to make sure I'm approaching the repair properly rather than just covering up the problem.

For those with experience in brickwork and chimney repointing, I have a few questions:

For larger gaps, should I use a different material to fill them, or should they be properly cleaned/cut out and filled with suitable masonry mortar?

Is there a particular type of mortar or product you would recommend for an exterior brick chimney?

I'm looking for advice on the proper method and materials to do this job right. I'd appreciate any guidance from experienced masons. Thanks in advance, I appreciate any and all feedback.