Hudson Heights Repointing
Brick Pointing in Hudson Heights, Manhattan
Failing mortar repaired on the Art Deco and Tudor style co ops and apartment buildings of Hudson Heights, with mortar matched to your brick.
- Old mortar cut out and replaced
- Local Law 11 repairs carried out
- Written price after a free visit
Why Does Brick Need Pointing on Hudson Heights Buildings?
The ridge is exposed. Wind, rain and freezing hit the upper walls of tall buildings hard, and mortar is the first part to give way. Pre war brickwork here has stood for many decades, so its joints have often reached the end of their working life.
Many buildings on Fort Washington Avenue, Cabrini Boulevard and Pinehurst Avenue are co ops with long brick elevations, parapets and detailed trim. Joints near the roofline, window heads and sills take the most water.
Once a joint opens, water gets into the wall. In winter it freezes and pushes the brick face off. In summer it carries salts through the wall and stains the interior. Pointing in time prevents both.
How Do You Tell Which Joints Need Work?
Check the mortar with a key or screwdriver. If it crumbles, rubs off as sand or sits well back from the brick face, it needs replacing. Gaps at window heads, parapets and sills deserve the closest look, since water enters there first.
| Sign | What it means | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy, crumbling mortar | Joint has weathered out | Cut out and repoint |
| Hairline gap at the brick edge | Mortar has pulled away | Repoint the joint |
| Flaking brick faces | Water and freezing have damaged the brick | Replace the brick, then point |
| Open joints at the parapet | Most exposed part of the wall | Repoint and reset loose brick |
Mortar should be softer than the brick around it. A mix that is too hard can crack the brick instead of the joint, so we choose strength and color to match the wall.
Does Local Law 11 Affect Pointing in Hudson Heights?
Yes, for buildings taller than six stories. Local Law 11, the facade inspection program, requires periodic inspections by a qualified professional, and open mortar joints are a common finding. We carry out the pointing a report lists. Confirm current rules with the city.
The engineer inspects, files the report and lists unsafe or defective conditions. We work from that list and talk with the engineer about the scope of the masonry repairs. We do not file the report.
Is there a historic district?
We have no confirmed historic district to cite for this stretch of Washington Heights. Ask the city about your own address before you change the look of a facade.
Decorative trim on Art Deco and Tudor style buildings needs a careful hand. Narrow joints around terra cotta, stone accents and half timber details must be cut without chipping the edges, so we use tools sized to the work.
What about scaffolding?
Tall walls need scaffolding, a swing stage or a lift. A sidewalk shed may be required over the public walk, and permits apply. We plan that with your board or manager.
Facade Report on Your Desk?
Send it to us and we will price the pointing and brick repairs on the list.
Process
How Is Brick Pointing Done?
The crew rakes out failed mortar to a sound depth, cleans the joints, packs in new mortar in layers and tools each joint to match. Small areas finish in days. Large facades take longer, and we give a schedule in writing after the visit.
Wall inspection
We check joints, brick faces, sills and parapets.
Estimate
Area, method and mortar type in writing.
Access and permits
Scaffolding and shed steps are arranged.
Cut and fill
Tired joints are raked back, then filled in lifts and tooled to match the Tudor or Art Deco brick.
Cleanup
The wall is brushed down and debris cleared.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Hudson Heights
Our crews also repoint buildings in nearby neighborhoods.
FAQ
Hudson Heights Brick Pointing Questions
Look for sandy mortar, gaps at window heads and parapets and damp patches inside. A short inspection shows how far it goes.
We match color and joint style. New work looks lighter at first and weathers closer over time.
Yes. We carry out the masonry repairs on the list and talk with your engineer about scope.
It stops leaks through open joints. If the leak comes from flashing or a failed lintel, we say so.
We do. Call (718) 468-8803 and we will set up a visit.
Contact
Request Your Hudson Heights Pointing Estimate
Tell us which wall needs work and add photos of the joints or your facade report.
- 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.