Bed-Stuy Repointing
Brick Pointing in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
New mortar for the brick and brownstone facades, parapets and chimneys of Bedford-Stuyvesant, done with care for older buildings.
- Facades, parapets, chimneys and stoop walls
- Mortar matched to the age of the brick
- Free visit and written price
When Does a Bed-Stuy Row House Need Repointing?
A row house needs repointing when mortar crumbles under a scratch, joints are open enough to see into, sand collects at the base of the wall or water stains appear inside after rain. On older Bed-Stuy houses, the parapet, chimney and lower front wall are usually the first to need it.
Long rows of brick and brownstone houses stand on most blocks, and many are a century old or more. Their mortar has weathered through many winters, and joints that were sound decades ago are often failing now.
Wood frame houses and pre war apartment buildings add other brickwork, including chimneys and side walls that see little attention until water shows up inside.
| Problem | What We Do |
|---|---|
| Open joints on the front wall | Cut out loose mortar and repoint the whole section |
| Failing parapet joints | Repoint the parapet and reset loose brick |
| Crumbling chimney mortar | Repoint and rebuild the top where needed |
| Patchy old repairs | Remove hard patches and repoint with matching mortar |
What Mortar Should Be Used on Older Brick?
The mortar should be softer than or as soft as the brick, so the joint takes the strain instead of the brick face. Many older buildings were laid with lime based mortar. Modern hard cement mortar can crack and chip brick edges, so the mix is chosen after the wall is checked.
Brownstone trim needs particular care, since the stone is softer than brick and can flake if joints are cut with the wrong tool. Cutting depth and tool choice matter as much as the mortar itself.
Color and joint style are matched to the wall. On landmarked buildings this can be a review point, which is covered below.
Approvals
Is Repointing Reviewed in a Historic District?
It can be. Parts of Bed-Stuy are in the Stuyvesant Heights, Expanded Stuyvesant Heights or Bedford historic districts. On a landmarked facade, changes to mortar color, joint profile and materials can need Landmarks Preservation Commission approval. Confirm your address with the city before work begins.
Scaffold and sidewalk protection can bring in the Department of Buildings, and buildings taller than six stories fall under Local Law 11 facade inspections.
We tell you at the estimate which approvals your building likely needs and take care of the filings.
Mortar Crumbling on Your Facade?
Send a photo of the worst wall. We will tell you how much of it needs work.
Process
How a Repointing Job Runs
Free visit
We inspect the joints and brick, and note access needs at the roofline.
Written price
A scope with areas, access equipment and mortar type.
Approvals
Permit and landmark filings handled where they apply.
Cut and repoint
Loose mortar is cut out and new mortar is packed in and tooled.
Cleanup
Debris is hauled away and the wall face is brushed clean.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Bedford-Stuyvesant
We repoint brick in the neighborhoods around Bedford-Stuyvesant too.
FAQ
Bed-Stuy Brick Pointing Questions
No. Many owners start with the parapet and chimney, then do the front wall later. We can price the job in stages so you see the cost of each.
New mortar is lighter at first and darkens as it cures. We test color against the old joints, and the difference fades over time.
We can repoint the brick and the joints around brownstone trim. Brownstone itself is soft, so we use careful tools and avoid cutting into the stone.
If it sits inside a historic district, possibly. We check your address and explain what applies. Confirm current rules with the city.
It often does when water enters through open joints. If a cracked lintel or roof edge is to blame, we tell you and address that too.
Yes. We come to your building, look at the brick and give you a written price at no cost. Call (718) 468-8803 to set a time.
Contact
Request a Bedford-Stuyvesant Brick Pointing Quote
Give us your address and a photo of the wall if you can. We will call to set up a 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.