University Heights Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in University Heights, the Bronx
Eroded mortar on pre war apartment buildings and walk ups cut out and replaced, so brick stays dry and sound.
- Failed mortar ground out to sound depth
- New mortar matched to your brick
- Free visit and a written price
Local Conditions
Why Does Brick Need Repointing in University Heights?
University Heights is a district of pre war brick apartment buildings and walk ups, standing on high ground above the Harlem River. Wind and rain hit those walls with little shelter. Decades of weather wear down the mortar, and open joints let water into the wall.
The hill raises the exposure. A building on a rise catches wind that a building on a flat block does not, and the upper floors and parapets take the worst of it.
Buildings along University Avenue, Sedgwick Avenue and West Burnside Avenue have long brick faces, and the street side often shows more damage than the courtyard side.
Newer apartment buildings are less affected, but their mortar ages too. Even a building that is a few decades old can have joints that need attention near the roof and at corners.
What Are the Signs Your University Heights Building Needs Pointing?
Mortar that crumbles when scratched, joints set deep behind the brick face and loose bricks near the parapet are the main signs. Water stains inside upper floor apartments and white powder on the brick are also clues. A stair step crack following the joints can mean the wall has moved.
- Mortar that turns to sand under a key
- Joints recessed far behind the brick
- Loose bricks at parapets and corners
- Water stains on interior upper walls
- White powder on the brick surface
- Stair step cracks in the wall
An interior stain often has its cause on the outside, a few feet above. We trace it to the joint or the cap that is letting water in.
Is repointing the same as facade work?
No. Repointing renews the mortar. Facade repair can also cover replacing brick, lintels and parapet caps. We explain what your wall needs.
Mortar crumbling or a stain on an upper wall? We will look at the facade and tell you what it needs.
Book an Inspection Call NowHow Do We Repoint a University Heights Building?
The crew cuts out old mortar to a safe depth, cleans the joints and packs new mortar in layers. Joints are tooled to shed water. We match mortar strength to the brick so the wall can move and dry out without cracking, a point that matters on older buildings.
Old soft brick needs soft mortar. Hard modern mortar can crush the faces of old brick. We pick a mix suited to the age of the wall.
Work above the first floor needs scaffolding or a lift. On a hillside, the scaffold base has to be set level on uneven ground, and where it stands over a public sidewalk, a shed or barriers protect pedestrians.
What Rules Affect Brick Work in University Heights?
Local Law 11 covers buildings taller than six stories with periodic facade inspections. Scaffolding and sidewalk sheds need city permits. Landmark review is unlikely, as no historic district here is known to us. Verify the rules for your building with the city.
Many buildings in the neighborhood are tall enough to fall under Local Law 11. When an inspector's report lists unsafe conditions, owners must repair them. Repointing is often part of that work, and we follow the report.
Work wholly on your property does not need the DOT sidewalk permit, but a shed on the public walk does. If DOT cites the sidewalk below, see sidewalk violations.
Cost Factors
What Affects Brick Pointing Costs?
Wall area
Total square footage of brick drives most of the labor.
Height
Upper floors and parapets need scaffolding or lifts, which add setup time.
Condition
Deeply decayed joints take more cutting and more mortar.
Brick repair
Replacing damaged brick is priced in addition to the joints.
We measure the wall and give you a price in writing before work starts.
Request Your QuoteTimeline
How Does a Pointing Job Run?
The visit and estimate come first. Mortar needs dry, mild weather to set, so rain can pause the work. Larger apartment buildings take longer than houses, and the schedule goes in your estimate.
Wall check
We inspect joints, bricks, parapets and caps.
Estimate
You receive scope and price in writing.
Cut out
Failed mortar is ground out and cleaned.
Point and tool
New mortar goes in and is shaped to shed water.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near University Heights
Nearby neighborhoods where we also repoint brick.
FAQ
University Heights Brick Pointing Questions
The answer turns on the mortar, the brick and the exposure. Hill walls see more weather, so we choose the mix with that in mind.
Yes. We follow the inspector findings, repair the unsafe conditions and keep records for the owner.
We match color and texture closely and show you a sample first.
Not much. We coordinate with the manager, and noisy cutting is scheduled for daytime hours.
Yes. We look at the wall and quote the price in writing at no cost. Call (718) 468-8803.
Contact
Request Your University Heights Pointing Quote
Give us the building address and tell us 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.