East Village Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in East Village, Manhattan
Failing mortar repaired on five and six story tenements, Italianate row houses and Greek Revival fronts, with historic district rules checked first.
- Failed mortar cut out and replaced
- Mortar matched to old brick
- Free written estimate after inspection
Why Does Mortar Fail on East Village Buildings?
These buildings are old and their mortar is soft. Five and six story tenements and older row houses have stood through well over a century of weather. Open joints let water in, and in winter that water freezes and pushes bricks out of line.
The neighborhood has Italianate and Greek Revival row houses on some side streets and long runs of tenements on the avenues. Both rely on lime based mortar that was meant to be softer than the brick.
- Sandy or recessed joints on street facing walls
- Gaps at window sills and lintels
- Damp, stained brick on rear and side walls
- Cement patches that crack nearby bricks
- Loose bricks at parapets and cornices
- Efflorescence, the white powder that signals moisture
Rear walls are worth a look too. They face yards and shafts where the wall dries slowly, so joints there often fail before the front does. Owners who only check the street side can miss years of damage.
Ground floor shop fronts add to the problem. Signs, awnings and exhaust ducts are fastened into the wall, and bad mortar around them lets water follow the fasteners inside.
Mortar Crumbling at Fingertip?
Soft, sandy joints are an early warning. Book an inspection before the damage spreads.
How We Fix It
What Does Repointing Involve on a Tenement Wall?
Crews remove failed mortar to a sound depth, brush the joints clean and pack in new mortar in layers. Loose bricks are reset first. The new mix is chosen to be softer than the brick, so the wall can still breathe and shed water.
Cement heavy mortar is a common mistake on old buildings. It is harder than the brick, so the brick faces flake instead of the joints. We test the wall and match the mix to what we find.
Work above the ground floor is done from scaffolding or a swing stage with the proper approvals. We plan setups so shop entrances stay open and the sidewalk is protected.
Before any mortar goes in, we photograph the wall in sections. The photos give you a record of the condition we found and a way to compare the result.
When pointing is done, we check flashing, sills and copings, which are where water gets in most often.
Does Landmarks Review Apply to Brick Pointing Here?
It can. The neighborhood holds three historic districts that together cover much of its older housing. Exterior masonry work inside a district may need Landmarks Preservation Commission review. Confirm current rules with the city.
Careful repointing that matches the existing joints is often treated differently from a change in appearance. We cannot speak for the commission, so we tell you what we know and what to ask.
Local Law 11 covers buildings taller than six stories, and many tenements are close to that line. If yours is covered, a licensed professional inspects the facade and we carry out the masonry repairs the report lists.
Scaffolding and sheds need approvals as well. We coordinate so they come down promptly, and we repair any walk the work damages.
Why Us
Why East Village Owners Choose Us for Pointing
Mortar matched to the brick
We test the wall and choose a mix that will not harm old brick.
Landmarks aware
We flag review questions before work begins.
Licensed and insured
Crews working at height are covered.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near the East Village
We also point brick in the neighborhoods around the East Village.
FAQ
East Village Brick Pointing Questions
Maintenance that matches the existing look is common, but rules vary. Ask the city about your building before work.
It is harder than old brick and can crack the faces of the bricks. A softer, matched mortar protects the wall.
Yes. We plan the scaffold so customers can still reach your door.
The inspection comes from a licensed professional. Our crew handles the brickwork the report lists.
Call (718) 468-8803 or use the form. The inspection and written price are free.
Free on site estimate
Seal the Walls of Your East Village Building
Inspection, written scope and mortar suited to your brick.
Contact
Request Your East Village Pointing Estimate
Tell us the address, how tall the building is and which wall looks worst. 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.