Ditmas Park Repointing
Brick Pointing in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn
Failing mortar replaced on chimneys, porch piers, foundation walls and the prewar apartment buildings of Ditmas Park.
- Mortar matched to the age of the brick
- Chimneys, piers and full walls
- Written price after a free visit
Local Conditions
Where Does Brick Pointing Fit in Ditmas Park?
The neighborhood is known for large detached Victorian and Colonial Revival houses, and many of those are not brick faced. Pointing matters here on the brick that does exist: chimneys, porch piers, foundation walls, garden walls and the prewar apartment buildings along the main avenues.
That is an honest picture, and it is helpful to know before you call. If your house is wood sided, pointing will not be needed for the walls. The brick parts, such as the chimney stack above the roof and the stone or brick base under the porch, often still need attention.
The apartment buildings on Ocean Avenue, Cortelyou Road and Newkirk Avenue are a different case. They are brick, and their mortar has weathered for a century or so.
Why Do Chimneys and Porch Piers Need Repointing?
Chimneys stand exposed above the roof, so rain and wind hit them on every side and their mortar wears out first. Porch piers sit close to the ground, where splashing and damp soil work on the joints. In both places, failing mortar lets water in and loosens brick.
A chimney with crumbling joints can drop loose brick onto the roof or the yard, and water that enters can travel into the house. A pier that has lost mortar can shift under the weight of the porch above it.
These are moderate repairs compared with a full facade. They are also among the most valuable, because they stop water at spots that are hard to inspect from the ground.
Chimney joints crumbling or pier bricks loose? Send a photo and we will assess it.
Call for a Free Estimate Call Now
How Is Brick Pointing Done?
The old mortar is ground or chiseled out to a set depth, the joints are cleaned, and new mortar is packed in layers and tooled to match the original profile. The mix is chosen to suit the age and hardness of the brick, so the wall sheds water again and lasts.
Mortar has to be softer than the brick. Hard modern cement in an old wall can chip the brick and trap moisture. We match the mix to what is in the wall, so the joints wear at the same pace.
Chimneys are worked from the roof or a ladder, and taller buildings need scaffold or a lift. We look at access before we write the estimate, since it affects both price and schedule.
What Rules Apply to Repointing in Ditmas Park?
Scaffold and facade work can involve Department of Buildings permits, and buildings above six stories fall under the facade inspection program known as Local Law 11. Ditmas Park has two historic districts, so visible exterior work may need Landmarks approval. Confirm current rules with the city.
Most detached houses here fall below the height where Local Law 11 applies. Some of the larger apartment buildings along Ocean Avenue may be tall enough to matter, so managers should check their own building height and filing status.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission generally cares about how a facade looks, including mortar color and joint width. Repointing that copies what is there is easier to approve than changing the style.
Price Factors
What Affects Brick Pointing Cost in Ditmas Park?
Wall area
A chimney is small, and an apartment building facade is large.
Height and access
Roofs, scaffold and lifts change the schedule and the price.
Condition of the mortar
Deeper decay takes more time to cut out and rebuild.
Mortar matching
Matching color and profile in a historic district takes extra care.
After a visit you get one written price that lists exactly what will be repointed.
Steps
How a Ditmas Park Pointing Job Goes
Inspect
We look at the chimney, piers, walls and roofline and take photos.
Written scope and price
You see what will be repointed and what will not.
Set up
Ladders, scaffold or lifts go in and the ground below is protected.
Cut and repoint
Old mortar comes out and new mortar is packed and tooled.
Clean up and review
We clean the wall and go over the work with you.
What Happens if You Skip Repointing?
Water keeps entering the wall, and damage grows. Brick that is soaked freezes and spalls, mortar washes away, and leaks reach framing and plaster. A repointing job costs far less than repairing rotted wood, replacing bricks or rebuilding a chimney top.
The damage is easy to miss because it starts high up. Owners who never look above the second floor may not notice a chimney until a brick falls. A quick check from the yard, with binoculars if you have them, is worth doing once a year.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Ditmas Park
We repoint buildings in the neighborhoods around Ditmas Park.
FAQ
Ditmas Park Brick Pointing Questions
The siding does not, but a brick chimney, brick porch piers or a brick foundation base might. We check those parts at a visit.
Look for crumbling mortar, leaning bricks, white stains and loose pieces on the roof. Water stains on the ceiling near the chimney also point to it.
We test and match color and profile as closely as we can, which matters especially in a historic district.
Yes. Access is planned around residents, and we use scaffold or lifts when the height requires it.
A chimney can be a short job, and a full facade takes longer. We give a schedule with the written estimate.
Call (718) 468-8803. The visit and written estimate are free.
Contact
Request Your Ditmas Park Pointing Quote
Tell us the address and where the mortar is failing. Photos of the chimney, piers or wall help us prepare.
- 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.