Westchester Square Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Westchester Square, Bronx
Failed mortar joints repaired on the older houses, shop buildings and stoops around the square so water stays out of the wall.
- Old mortar removed to a sound depth
- New mortar matched to your brick
- Free written estimate on site
Why Does Mortar Fail on Older Buildings Near the Square?
Mortar fails from age, water and vibration. Buildings around Westchester Square sit near busy roads and an elevated train line, and older brick has been through many seasons of rain and frost. Joints turn sandy, shrink back from the brick face and let water into the wall.
The housing mix includes attached and semi detached houses, detached homes and low rise apartments over and near the shops. Brick shows up on all of them, from front walls to stoop sides and chimneys.
- Mortar that crumbles when scratched with a key
- Joints recessed far behind the brick face
- White salt deposits on the wall
- Hairline cracks tracing the brick pattern
- Loose bricks at corners and sills
- Stained plaster inside under a window
Shop buildings near the square often carry signs and awnings fixed into brick. Each fixing is a small hole, and failed sealant lets water run along the bolt into the wall.
Brick stoops and low garden walls are exposed to rain from above, so they fail first. We often start repointing there, then move to the house walls.
Loose Brick or Damp Plaster on a Street Wall?
Open joints let water in. A short visit will show how much of the wall needs work.
How We Fix It
How Does Brick Pointing Work in Westchester Square?
Crews cut out the old mortar to a steady depth, clean out the dust, dampen the joints and pack in new mortar in layers. Joints are tooled to shed water. We choose a mortar that suits the brick, since a mix that is too hard can crack old brick.
Bricks that have loosened are reset, and faces that have broken off are replaced with matching units. We work in sections so that the wall stays sound during the job.
On painted brick, we tell you how the repointed areas will look after repainting, because paint can hide how bad the joints really are.
Stoops and low walls often need their caps or copings repaired as well. Water enters from the top, so we check the upper courses first.
Does Brick Pointing Need Permits Near Westchester Square?
Repointing a low rise building often does not need a Department of Buildings permit. Scaffolding, sidewalk sheds and structural work can. We cannot confirm any historic district around the square, even with St. Peter's Episcopal Church on Westchester Avenue. Confirm current rules with the city.
If your building is taller than six stories, Local Law 11 facade inspections apply, and your repointing may be tied to a filing.
When scaffolding covers the public sidewalk, a permit and pedestrian protection apply. That matters on the busy blocks by the shops, and we handle the planning.
If we find a bulging wall or a failed lintel while repointing, we stop and tell you. Those are structural problems, and an engineer may need to look.
How long does repointing last?
A well done job can last for decades, since the new mortar bonds to clean, deep joints. Shallow work over weak mortar fails much sooner.
Why Us
Why Westchester Square Owners Hire Us for Pointing
Joints cut deep enough
New mortar bonds properly and lasts longer.
Mortar matched to the brick
Color and strength are chosen to suit the building.
Clear written scope
The wall area and work planned are listed before you commit.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Westchester Square
Nearby neighborhoods where we repoint brick.
FAQ
Westchester Square Brick Pointing Questions
The terms overlap. We remove old mortar and fill the joints with new mortar, which is what most people mean by either word.
Yes. Many owners start with the most exposed wall or the stoop and do the rest later.
They look fresh at first. We match color as closely as possible, and the new mortar weathers over time.
Usually not for exterior work. We ask for access to gates or yards when needed.
We do. Call (718) 468-8803 and we will book a time, inspect the wall and put a price on paper.
Free on site estimate
Keep Water Out of Your Westchester Square Brick
A free visit, a price in writing and mortar joints done to last.
Contact
Request Your Westchester Square Pointing Estimate
Tell us which walls show damage and how high they are. 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.