Mount Hope Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Mount Hope, Bronx
Mount Hope has many pre war brick buildings. Their mortar joints wear out with age, and repointing keeps water out of the wall.
- Loose mortar removed from each joint
- New mortar matched to the old wall
- Free visit and written estimate
Local Conditions
Why Do Mount Hope Brick Walls Need Repointing?
Joint mortar on Mount Hope walls gives out before the brick does. Pre war buildings in Mount Hope have had many decades of rain, freezing and thawing. Once joints turn sandy or open, water enters the wall, and bricks can loosen, spall or stain from the inside.
The housing here is mostly pre war apartment buildings and walk ups, with a mix of newer apartment buildings. The older brick is where pointing is most needed. Buildings along the Grand Concourse and on Walton Avenue and Morris Avenue often show joints that have not been touched in a long time.
Parapets and chimney tops get the worst weather. Window sills, lintels and the brick just above street level take splash and salt. We check these spots first.
Mortar that fails near the ground is easy to see. Mortar that fails high on the wall is easy to miss, which is why we look from several angles.
How Do You Know When Joints Have Failed?
Look for mortar that crumbles when scratched, joints recessed deep behind the brick face, hairline cracks along the joint lines, loose bricks and white salt stains on the wall. One or two of these signs means the wall is taking in water and should be checked.
A coin or a key pushed into the joint tells you a lot. If the mortar gives way like sand, it has lost its strength. If you can slide a finger behind a brick, the wall needs attention soon.
Is pointing the same as tuckpointing?
People use the words loosely. Pointing means cutting out the old mortar to a set depth and filling the joint with new mortar. We match the mix to the existing brick so the repair does not stress the wall.
What Rules Apply to Brick Work in Mount Hope?
Brick pointing is routine maintenance, but scaffold and sidewalk shed use, work on large buildings and landmark rules can add steps. Part of Mount Hope lies in the Morris Avenue Historic District, where exterior changes may need approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
The district covers Morris Avenue between East Tremont Avenue and East 179th Street. Confirm current rules with the city before changing the look of a facade. Using matching mortar and brick is the safest way to stay close to the original.
Walk ups on the Concourse that top six stories answer to Local Law 11, the facade inspection rule. Pointing is often part of fixing what an inspection report finds, so owners of taller buildings should read their report before ordering work.
Seeing crumbling joints or loose brick? We will inspect the wall and write up what it needs.
Get a Free Estimate Call NowCost Factors
What Affects the Cost of Repointing?
Wall area
A single facade costs less than a building with front, side and rear walls to repoint.
Height and access
Taller walls need scaffold or a rig, which adds setup time.
Depth of damage
Joints that have eroded deep take longer to rake out and fill.
Brick repair
Loose or cracked bricks have to be reset or replaced before the joints are filled.
We cannot price a wall we have not seen. After a visit, you get a written estimate that lists the walls and the work.
Request Your QuoteThe Process
How Does Repointing Work?
Wall survey
We look over each elevation and mark failed joints and loose brick.
Estimate
We list which walls and how much pointing before you sign.
Rake out
We grind or chisel out old mortar down to solid material and spare the brick edges.
Fill and tool
New mortar is packed in and shaped to match the existing joint profile.
Clean and check
We clean the wall and walk it with you.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Mount Hope
Crews also repoint walls in neighboring parts of the west Bronx.
FAQ
Mount Hope Brick Pointing Questions
That varies with the mix used before, how much weather the wall takes and when it was last done. Pre war walls often need it. We judge by the condition of the joints, not a fixed schedule.
We match color, texture and strength as closely as we can. A mortar that is harder than the brick can damage it, so we choose carefully.
It often reduces water entering through the wall. Other leaks come from roofs, windows or flashing, so we check the source.
Only if it lies in a historic district such as the Morris Avenue Historic District. Confirm current rules with the city.
We do. Call (718) 468-8803 and we will look at your Mount Hope facade and write up the pointing.
Contact
Request Your Mount Hope Brick Estimate
Tell us the address and which walls look worn. Photos help us plan the visit.
- 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.