Harlem Repointing
Brick Pointing in Harlem, Manhattan
Failing mortar repaired on the row houses, tenements and pre war apartment buildings of Central Harlem, with mortar matched to your brick.
- Old mortar cut out and replaced
- Mortar suited to the age of your brick
- Written price after a free visit
Why Is the Mortar Failing on Harlem Buildings?
Harlem has a large stock of buildings from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Their mortar has weathered through a century or more of rain, freezing and vibration. Joints turn sandy, open up and let water into the wall.
Once water reaches the brick, freezing does the rest. The face of the brick flakes off, and the wall loses strength and appearance together. Pointing early stops that chain.
- Crumbling grit in the joints of a brownstone or brick front
- Gaps between bricks wide enough to see into
- Brick faces flaking near open joints
- Water stains or damp patches on interior walls
- Mortar missing around windows and sills
- Parapet bricks that wiggle
On brownstone and brick rows, the front wall and the stoop cheeks take the most weather. On tenements and apartment buildings, the upper walls and parapets are most exposed, especially on the avenues where wind runs between buildings.
Spotted Gaps in the Mortar?
Send us a photo of the wall and we will tell you what we see.
How We Fix It
How Is Brick Pointing Done on a Harlem Wall?
The crew cuts out the loose mortar to a sound depth, cleans the joints and packs in new mortar in layers. We tool each joint to match the original profile. Loose or spalled bricks are reset or replaced before the pointing begins.
Mortar choice matters on older walls. Soft historic brick needs a softer mortar, because a hard mix traps water in the brick and speeds its decay. We match strength and color so the new work protects the wall.
Higher walls need scaffolding or a swing stage, and a sidewalk shed may be required. We plan the setup and tell you what permits apply.
When the work is done, we brush down the wall and clean the sidewalk below.
What Rules Touch Brick Pointing in Harlem?
Buildings taller than six stories are covered by Local Law 11, which requires periodic facade inspections, and pointing is a common fix. Harlem has several landmark districts that may add LPC review. Scaffolding and sheds have their own permits. Confirm current rules with the city.
Under Local Law 11, an engineer inspects and reports. We carry out the masonry repairs the report lists and can talk through the scope with your engineer.
Which Harlem districts are landmarked?
Strivers' Row, the Mount Morris Park blocks, the stretch of West 130th to 132nd Streets and Dorrance Brooks Square are all landmarked. On those fronts, repointing should keep the joint width and tooling the building has.
Pointing a full front wall is best done in one pass, so the color and texture are even across the wall. We plan the work from the top down, finishing parapets and window heads before the lower floors. Small stoop wall jobs can be done in a day or two.
Can pointing stop a leak?
It can stop leaks that come through open joints. Leaks from roof flashing, failed lintels or cracked brick need other fixes, and we tell you which you have.
Why Us
Why Do Harlem Owners Choose Us for Pointing?
Mortar that fits the brick
We match mix and color to your wall instead of using one blend for everything.
25+ years in NYC
We have repointed many older New York buildings.
Clear written estimate
The area, method and access are listed before work starts.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Harlem
Our crews also repoint buildings in neighborhoods around Central Harlem.
FAQ
Harlem Brick Pointing Questions
Look for grit on the sill, visible gaps and loose bricks. Damp patches on a party wall indoors are another clue.
We match color and joint style to your wall. New work looks lighter at first and weathers closer to the original.
It is a frequent repair on facade reports. Your engineer lists defects, and we do the masonry repairs.
Yes. Stoop walls are small jobs, and we use mortar that suits the stone.
We do. Call (718) 468-8803 and we will schedule a visit.
Free on site estimate
Protect Your Harlem Brickwork
A wall inspection, a written price and mortar that lasts.
Contact
Request Your Harlem Pointing Estimate
Name the street and the wall that worries you, and add photos of the open joints.
- 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.