Gowanus Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Gowanus, Brooklyn
Failed mortar cut out and replaced on canal area warehouses, converted lofts and brick row houses that have stood for a century or more.
- Mortar matched to old brick
- Parapets and street walls handled
- Written price after a free visit
Local Conditions
What Brick Buildings Need Pointing in Gowanus?
Gowanus has more old brick than most neighborhoods: former factories and warehouses along the canal, converted lofts, workshops and brick row houses at the edges. Many are over a century old, and their mortar joints have been weathering for as long.
The area grew around the Gowanus Canal as an industrial district. Buildings such as the Old American Can Factory show the kind of large brick construction that still stands here. Walls on those buildings are big, tall and exposed, and their joints take years of rain, wind and freezing weather.
The row houses near Union Street, Carroll Street and 9th Street are smaller but have the same problem. Their front walls, stoop sides and cornice lines all need mortar that keeps water out.
Next to all that old brick, new towers are rising. Their masonry is young, but when the older buildings beside them are neglected, the difference becomes obvious.
Transit is close, with the F, G and R trains at 4 Av/9 St and the F and G at Smith and 9th Streets. Foot traffic under a failing cornice or parapet is constant, which is one more reason to fix loose brick and joints before pieces fall to the sidewalk.
Why Does Mortar Fail on Old Industrial Brick?
Age and moisture. Old lime based mortar softens and washes out, freeze and thaw pries joints open, and roof or gutter leaks keep the wall wet. Once joints recede, rain gets inside the wall and the brick face starts to spall.
Buildings near the canal live in damp air, and large wall areas mean a lot of surface for water to find. Parapets are among the worst spots, since they are exposed on both sides and top. Chimneys, cornices and window sills follow close behind.
Watch for grit on the ground below a wall, sandy joints, hollow sounding mortar and dark staining under sills. Each says water is moving through the wall.
Mortar Crumbling on Your Building?
A few photos from the sidewalk are enough for a first look. We will visit and give a price.
Cost Factors
What Affects the Cost of Brick Pointing in Gowanus?
Wall area, height, the depth of failed mortar and the access equipment set the price. A three story row house front and a five story warehouse wall are very different jobs, so we measure the building and write down the scope.
Wall area
More square feet of joints mean more cutting and more mortar.
Height and access
Scaffold, a lift or a sidewalk shed adds cost on tall walls.
Mortar matching
Old brick needs a carefully chosen mortar.
Condition
Loose or missing brick adds repair work to the pointing.
Schedule
How Long Does a Repointing Job Take?
A small facade takes days, and a large warehouse wall takes weeks, because the mortar goes in section by section and needs dry weather. We give a schedule with the price and tell you if permits for staging could add time.
Inspection
We check the joints, brick and access.
Written price
Area, height and mortar choice listed.
Set up
Scaffold or lift and pedestrian protection.
Cut out and repoint
Failed mortar removed, new mortar tooled in.
Clean and cure
Wall protected while it sets.
How Is Brick Repointed on a Large Building?
We cut out failed mortar to a uniform depth, clean the joints, and pack in new mortar that suits the brick. The work is done in sections from staging or a lift. Matching mortar hardness to the old brick is the most important decision on the job.
Old brick is often softer than modern brick. A hard cement mortar traps water and cracks the brick instead of the joint, so we use a mix that is weaker than the masonry it sits in. If unsure, we say so and explain how we test.
| Where | What we do |
|---|---|
| Warehouse wall with open joints | Cut out and repoint in sections |
| Parapet with loose brick | Reset brick, repoint and check the coping |
| Row house front with failing mortar | Repoint the full wall or the worst areas |
| Sill and lintel joints | Repoint and seal against leaks |
| Chimney top | Repoint and inspect the crown |
Does Facade Law Apply to Brick Pointing in Gowanus?
It can. Buildings taller than six stories fall under Local Law 11, the Facade Inspection and Safety Program, which requires facade inspections every five years. Many low rise Gowanus buildings are outside it, but tall newer ones and some old industrial buildings may not be.
If your building is over six stories, your engineer may list repointing on the facade report. We can carry out the mortar and brick repairs from that report. Confirm the current requirements with the city or your engineer.
Scaffold or sidewalk sheds may need permits, and work over the public walk needs protection for pedestrians. We plan those points at the visit and explain them in the estimate.
When Is the Best Time to Repoint Near the Canal?
Late spring through early fall, when it is dry and mild enough for mortar to cure. Cold or wet weather can damage fresh joints, so we schedule around forecasts and cover finished sections when rain is expected.
Owners who wait for a facade problem to become a leak usually pay more. Water damage inside the wall means replacing brick, not just mortar. If you see open joints now, book before winter, so freeze and thaw does not widen them.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Gowanus
We repoint brick in the neighborhoods around the canal.
FAQ
Gowanus Brick Pointing Questions
Look for sandy or missing mortar, cracks between brick and mortar, and staining below the sills. A quick inspection tells us how deep the problem goes.
Yes. We plan the staging and work in sections, and we price the wall by area and height after measuring.
It stops water entering through open joints. If the leak comes from a roof, gutter or window, we tell you so it can be fixed too.
At first, yes. Fresh mortar is lighter and weathers toward the old color. We aim to match the wall as closely as we can.
Yes. We inspect and give a written price at no cost. Call (718) 468-8803 to book.
Small repointing often is not, but scaffolds, sheds and work over the public walk can be. Confirm the current rules with the city.
Contact
Request a Gowanus Pointing Quote
Tell us the building type, height and where you see failing mortar. Photos of the wall are useful.
- 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.