Fordham Manor Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Fordham Manor, Bronx
Failed mortar cut out and replaced on the pre war apartment buildings and walk ups north of Fordham Road, so water stays out of the wall.
- Old mortar removed to a clean depth
- Mortar matched to the existing wall
- Free on site written estimate
Why Do Pre War Brick Buildings Here Need Pointing?
Mortar gives out before the brick does. On buildings that have stood since before the war, the joints have been through decades of rain, freezing and baking summer sun. Once the mortar crumbles, water gets behind the face and starts doing damage.
The blocks around Kingsbridge Road, Valentine Avenue and the Grand Concourse hold many brick walk ups and apartment houses of that age. Some have never had their joints redone. Others were patched with the wrong mortar years ago and now show cracks around each patch.
Signs to look for are sand on the ground below the wall, joints you can scratch out with a key and bricks that wobble. Stains and white powder on the face show that water is moving through the wall.
What Is the Pointing Process?
Crews cut the old mortar back to sound material, brush the joints clean and pack new mortar in thin layers. Tooling the surface follows the shape of the original joint. A finished wall sheds water again and looks like itself.
| Step | What happens | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect | We look at joints, bricks and any cracks | Finds out whether pointing is enough |
| Cut out | Old mortar is removed to depth | New mortar needs room to bond |
| Clean | Dust and loose bits are brushed away | A clean joint holds better |
| Fill | Mortar is packed in and tooled | Seals the joint and matches the profile |
| Cure and clean up | Mortar sets and the wall is cleaned | Prevents early cracking |
Fordham Road and the Concourse give these walls a steady dose of exhaust and road grime, so we also talk with owners about cleaning the face once the joints are done. A clean wall shows the new mortar evenly. Cleaning is a separate line in the estimate, so you can choose it or skip it.
Mortar choice matters on old brick. We match the strength to the wall, because hard modern mortar can chip the faces of softer historic brick.
How Is Pointing Different From Larger Facade Work?
Pointing fixes the joints. Facade repair deals with the bricks, lintels and structure behind them. If we find cracked bricks, rusted steel or a bulge, we tell you, and other work may be needed before or alongside the pointing.
Taller buildings, those over six stories, are covered by the Local Law 11 facade inspection program. If yours is one of them, a pointing job may be part of what the inspection report calls for. Ask your inspector what the report requires, and confirm current rules with the city.
Scaffolding or a swing stage may be needed on taller fronts. Those can involve DOB permits, and we handle the filing when the job calls for it. We do not know of a historic district in Fordham Manor, so landmark approval is unlikely, but check your address.
Mortar Falling Out of Your Wall?
We will look at the joints and tell you what the wall needs, in writing.
The Process
How Does a Pointing Job Move Along?
Site visit
We inspect the wall from the ground and from access points.
Written estimate
The area, mortar type and access needs are listed.
Permits and access
We arrange any scaffold or permit the building needs.
Cut out and repoint
Joints are opened, cleaned and filled in sections.
Clean up
The wall is brushed down and the site left tidy.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Fordham Manor
Walls in the areas around Fordham Manor get the same careful repointing.
FAQ
Fordham Manor Brick Pointing Questions
The two words mostly mean the same job. We spell out in the estimate exactly which joints get cut out and refilled.
If mortar crumbles when scratched, joints are recessed deeply or bricks move, the wall needs attention. Water stains inside are another sign.
We match the color and joint profile as closely as we can. Fresh mortar can look lighter until it weathers.
Yes. We work in sections and plan scaffold access with the owner or manager.
Call (718) 468-8803 for a free site visit. You get a written estimate.
Contact
Schedule Your Fordham Manor Pointing Visit
Tell us the building height and which walls show worn mortar. Photos of the joints are very useful.
- Call us(718) 468-8803
- HoursMon to Sat, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Free on site estimate with a written price
- Licensed and insured, 25+ years in business
- We handle DOT sidewalk permits
- Serving Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx
Get Your Free Estimate
Takes about a minute. No cost and no obligation.