Riverdale Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Riverdale, Bronx
Mortar joints cut out and refilled on pre war apartment buildings, large houses and garden walls across Riverdale.
- Loose mortar removed to a clean depth
- Mortar matched to the original brick
- Written estimate after a free visit
Why Does Mortar Fail on Riverdale Buildings?
Mortar is meant to wear before the brick does, and in Riverdale it often has. On Riverdale buildings, age, damp from tree cover and freezing weather break it down. Once joints open, water gets behind the brick, and small gaps become loose bricks and stained walls.
Riverdale has many pre war apartment buildings along Riverdale Avenue, Johnson Avenue and the Henry Hudson Parkway. Many of them have brick facades that have gone decades since the joints were last done. Large older houses in Fieldston add stone and brick walls to the mix.
Trees and hills play a part. Shaded walls dry slowly, so moisture lingers in the mortar. Walls on exposed bluffs take wind driven rain from the river side.
How do I spot failing joints?
Look for sand falling out when you touch a joint, gaps you can fit a key into, and hairline cracks that follow the mortar lines. Powdery white stains on the brick also point to water getting in.
What Does Repointing Involve?
The crew grinds or chisels out loose mortar to a consistent depth, cleans the joints and packs in fresh mortar in layers. The joint is then tooled to shed water. The mortar mix is chosen to match the old color and to stay softer than the brick.
| Surface | Typical issue | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment building facade | Open joints, water behind the brick | Repoint in sections |
| Fieldston house wall | Eroded mortar on old brick or stone | Match the mix and color |
| Garden or retaining wall | Joints washed out by runoff | Repoint, then check the wall |
| Chimney or parapet | Exposed joints, loose bricks | Repoint and reset loose units |
Timing matters on a large building. Mortar needs mild weather to cure, so most exterior repointing is planned for spring through fall. Owners of co op buildings often phase the work wall by wall, which spreads the cost and keeps entrances open for residents.
We take care not to widen joints or damage soft brick. Hard cement over old brick traps water, so the mortar type matters as much as the labor.
Do Local Rules Apply to Brick Work in Riverdale?
They can. Buildings taller than six stories fall under Local Law 11, the facade inspection program, and repairs may follow an inspection report. Fieldston and Riverdale are historic districts, so Landmarks Preservation Commission approval can apply. Confirm current rules with the city.
Work above the first floor often needs scaffolding or a sidewalk shed, and those need their own city permits. Tell us about your building early so the plan covers access and protection for people below.
For a house in a historic district, matching the original mortar color and joint style is usually part of the approval. We can match the existing look closely.
Mortar Crumbling Out of Your Brick?
Describe the wall and send a few photos. We visit and put the price in writing.
Inspect
We check joint depth, loose brick and signs of water.
Estimate
The scope, access needs and mortar match are listed in writing.
Cut out
Failed mortar is removed to a clean, even depth.
Repoint
Fresh mortar goes in layer by layer and is tooled smooth.
Clean up
Excess mortar is brushed away and the area is left tidy.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Riverdale
Repointing is also available in the areas around Riverdale.
FAQ
Riverdale Brick Pointing Questions
Sand dropping from joints, visible gaps and rocking bricks are the main signs. We check the depth of the damage at the visit and tell you how much needs work.
We can match the color and texture closely by testing mixes. We also keep the mortar softer than the brick so it does not harm the wall.
The terms overlap. Repointing means replacing failed mortar joints, and many people use tuckpointing for the same work.
It closes a common path for water into a wall, though leaks can have other causes such as roofs or flashing. We tell you what we see.
Call (718) 468-8803 to schedule a no cost walk through and receive a written estimate.
Contact
Request Your Riverdale Brick Quote
Tell us which walls need work and how high they run. Photos of the joints help.
- 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.