( sigh )

I have had a murderous time trying to find someone to tuckpoint a small
section of our chimney. It is a small section, but near the very top of the
structure (approx 25 ft). Throughout the year, no one would return my calls.
One guy who did insisted on tearing the chimney down to the roofline and
reconstructing from there.

My wife is at the point where she wants me to do it myself with the
neighbor's ladder truck, and a caulking gun loaded with a tube of mortar
repair. Despite my parasailing adventure when we vacationed in Mex last
year, the idea of doing this makes me VERY nervous. Plus I am dubious as to
the virtues of Mortar-in-a-Tube and what will keep it from just falling
through the joint.

What I want to throw out here is, when should I start to worry about the
chimney's structural integrity? I am concerned with a small section of the
south side about 1 foot by three feet, with several joints open but most of
them looking sound. I would rather try and wait until spring when I might be
able to get a pro out here.

BTW, the fireplace involved is used only with a "gas log" and that is very
infrequently. No wood fires.

Thanks