Tremont Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Tremont, the Bronx
Eroded mortar on pre war apartment buildings and walk ups cut out and replaced, so brick stays dry and the wall stays sound.
- Failed mortar ground out to sound depth
- New mortar matched to your brick
- Free visit and a written price
Why Does Mortar Fail on Tremont Buildings?
Tremont is full of pre war brick buildings, and mortar older than most owners has done its job for decades. Rain, freezing and truck vibration from the Cross Bronx Expressway wear it down. Once joints open, water gets behind the brick and starts the next round of damage.
Walk ups and apartment buildings along East Tremont Avenue, Webster Avenue and the side streets often have long, tall brick walls. The side exposed to the weather loses mortar first, and parapets and chimneys fail fastest.
- Mortar that crumbles when scratched
- Joints recessed deep behind the brick face
- Stair step cracks following the joints
- Loose brick at parapets and corners
- Water stains on walls inside the apartments
- Efflorescence, a white powder on the brick
Interior water stains at an upper floor often start with an open joint outside. Tenants notice the stain, and the cause is a few feet above it.
Seeing Loose Mortar or Stains on Your Walls?
We will look at the facade and tell you how far the damage runs.
How We Fix It
How Do We Repoint a Tremont Brick Building?
The crew cuts out the old mortar to a safe depth, cleans the joints and packs in new mortar in layers. Joints are tooled to shed water. We pick a mortar that is no harder than the brick, so the wall can move and dry out.
Hard modern mortar on soft old brick causes the brick faces to spall. We choose a mix that suits the age and type of your wall. On older Tremont buildings that usually means a softer mortar than a modern product.
Work above the first floor is done from scaffolding or a lift. Scaffolding over a public sidewalk needs city permits, and we plan the setup with that in mind so the walkway below stays safe.
Loose or spalled brick is reset or replaced before pointing. Parapet caps and flashing get a look as well, since water enters there first.
What City Rules Affect Brick Work in Tremont?
Under Local Law 11, buildings taller than six stories face periodic facade inspection. Scaffolding and sidewalk sheds need city permits. The Morris Avenue Historic District at the western edge adds Landmarks Preservation Commission review. Ask the city which of these rules reach your facade.
If your building is subject to Local Law 11, a qualified inspector reports on the facade, and unsafe conditions must be fixed. Repointing is a common part of that repair. We work with the owner and the inspector's findings.
The Morris Avenue Historic District covers Morris Avenue between East Tremont Avenue and East 179th Street, in the area also called Mount Hope. If your property sits there, mortar color, joint profile and brick matching may need approval.
Repointing done from inside your lot does not call for the DOT sidewalk permit, but a shed or scaffold standing on the public walk does. If DOT cites your sidewalk, see our page on sidewalk violations.
Is repointing the same as facade restoration?
No. Repointing renews the mortar. Facade restoration can also cover brick replacement, lintels, parapets and sealing. We explain what your wall needs.
Why Us
Why Tremont Owners Choose Us for Pointing
Mortar matched to the brick
We choose a mix suited to the age and type of your wall.
25+ years in NYC
We have worked on pre war masonry across the five boroughs.
Written scope
The wall area, the access method and the finish are listed before work starts.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Tremont
Surrounding neighborhoods where we also repoint brick.
FAQ
Tremont Brick Pointing Questions
Scratch a joint with a key. If mortar crumbles or sits deep behind the brick face, it is time. We inspect the full wall and report what we find.
Yes. We work from the inspector report, repair the unsafe conditions and keep records for the owner.
Some noise is unavoidable during cutting. We schedule the loudest work for daytime hours and keep tenants informed through the manager.
We match color and texture as closely as we can, and we show you a sample section before the full wall.
Yes. We inspect the wall and write the price at no cost. Call (718) 468-8803.
Free on site estimate
Protect Your Tremont Brickwork
A wall inspection, a written price and mortar built to last.
Contact
Request Your Tremont Pointing Quote
Tell us the building address and which walls show damage. Photos 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.