Thoughts on my chimney repair options??

[Eddie Werner]

I am closing on a SFR in about 20 days and during the inspection it was noted the cracked mortar joints throughout the chimney were just filled with caulk.

Is it better to grind out all the caulk, repoint and seal it or just apply a thin coat of surface bonding cement to the entire chimney and seal it twice with a drylock masonry sealer?

Thanks, Eddie