Chinatown Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Chinatown, Manhattan
Crumbling mortar on old tenements, party walls and rear facades repaired so water stays out of the wall and the bricks stay in place.
- Failed mortar cut out and replaced
- Loose bricks reset
- Free written estimate after inspection
Why Does Mortar Fail on Chinatown Buildings?
Most of the buildings in Chinatown are old tenements with ground floor shops. Their brick walls have been through many decades of freezing, thawing, rain and city grime. Mortar between the bricks softens, cracks and falls out, and then water gets into the wall.
The rear and side walls of these buildings are often the worst. They face narrow yards and air shafts where moisture lingers and sunlight rarely reaches. A wall that stays damp breaks down much faster than one that dries each day.
- Mortar joints that crumble when touched
- Open gaps where water runs into the wall
- Loose or shifted bricks near cornices and parapets
- Efflorescence, the white powder that signals moisture
- Old patches in a hard cement that cracks nearby brick
- Stains below windows and rooflines
The ground floor shopfronts add another layer. Signs, exhaust ducts and awnings are anchored into the wall, and bad mortar around them lets water follow the fasteners inside.
Seeing Mortar Dust on the Sidewalk?
Falling mortar is a sign the wall is losing its seal. Book a look before a loose brick falls.
How We Fix It
How Is Brick Pointing Done on an Old Tenement?
Crews grind or chisel out the failed mortar to a sound depth, brush the joints clean and pack new mortar in layers. We reset loose bricks first and match the new joint to the old one. The mortar mix should be softer than the brick so the wall can move and breathe.
Older bricks in Chinatown are often softer than modern ones. A hard cement mortar can trap water and crack the faces of the bricks. We select a mix that suits the age of the wall.
Work above the ground floor uses scaffolding or swing stages, which are set up under the proper approvals. We plan the setup so shop entrances stay open and the sidewalk below is protected.
After pointing, we look at flashing, copings and sills, since these are where water most often enters.
What Rules Apply to Facade Work in Chinatown?
Brick pointing on a building generally needs work approvals when it uses scaffolding or sidewalk sheds. The facade inspection program called Local Law 11 reaches buildings over six stories tall. We cannot confirm a historic district in Chinatown, so confirm current rules with the city for your address.
If your building must file under Local Law 11, a licensed professional inspects the facade and reports unsafe conditions. Repairs that the report calls for often include repointing, brick replacement and parapet work. We do the masonry portion of those repairs.
Sidewalk sheds protect people below while facade work is under way. We coordinate the work so the shed is down as soon as the job allows. Where the sidewalk was damaged during the work, we can repair the flags too.
Smaller buildings do not fall under that program, but the same mortar problems apply. An owner who pointed the front wall years ago may now have joints failing on the rear.
Why Us
Why Chinatown Owners Hire Us for Pointing
Mortar matched to the wall
We test the brick and choose a mix that will not damage it.
Detailed estimates
Wall areas, joint depth and access costs are written out.
Licensed and insured
Crews working at height are covered.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Chinatown
We also point brick in the neighborhoods around Chinatown.
FAQ
Chinatown Brick Pointing Questions
Look for mortar that is sandy, recessed or missing. White deposits and water stains are also signs that the wall is taking in moisture.
People use both terms. We cut out old mortar and fill the joints with new mortar, finished to match the wall.
Yes, wherever scaffolding allows. We plan the setup so customers can still reach your door.
That law applies to buildings taller than six stories. Check with the city for your building, and we can do the masonry repairs a report calls for.
Call (718) 468-8803 and we will inspect the wall. The estimate is free and written.
Free on site estimate
Seal the Walls of Your Chinatown Building
Inspection, written scope and mortar that suits your brick.
Contact
Request Your Chinatown Pointing Estimate
Tell us the address, how many floors and which wall shows 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.