Inwood Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Inwood, Manhattan
Failing mortar cut out and replaced on the pre war apartment buildings and Art Deco facades of upper Manhattan.
- Old mortar removed to a clean depth
- Mortar matched to the brick
- Written scope after a free visit
Why Does Brick Mortar Fail on Inwood Buildings?
Mortar wears out after decades of rain, wind and freezing. Inwood has many pre war apartment buildings, and their joints now lose material, open hairline gaps and let water behind the brick. The first signs are sandy mortar and cracks along the joint lines.
The northern tip of Manhattan faces the Hudson River and the Harlem River, so wind and driven rain hit the upper floors hard. Parapets and chimneys take the worst of it, since they are exposed on every side.
- Mortar that crumbles when you scratch it
- Hairline cracks along bed joints
- Loose or shifted bricks
- Efflorescence, the white powder on the wall
- Open joints around windows and sills
- Crumbling parapet and coping joints
Art Deco buildings often have patterned brickwork, with contrasting bands and decorative corners. Those details need careful pointing so the pattern stays crisp, and the lines of the design should read cleanly from the sidewalk below. A rushed job with sloppy joints flattens the look that made the building special.
Seeing White Powder or Loose Joints on Your Wall?
Early pointing costs less than repairs after water gets in. Ask for a visit.
How We Fix It
How Does Repointing Work on a Pre War Facade?
The crew grinds or chisels the old mortar out to a set depth, cleans the joints and packs in new mortar in layers. We tool each joint to shed water. Loose bricks are reset first, and we match the mortar color and strength to what is already on the wall.
Strength matters. Hard modern mortar on soft old brick can crack the brick faces instead of the joints. We choose a mix that is no harder than the masonry around it.
On a five or six story building, work is done from scaffolding or a swing stage. Access, sidewalk sheds and street closures follow city rules, and we coordinate what the job needs.
We pay attention to what the water was doing. Failed flashing at a parapet or an open coping joint can undo new pointing, so we check those spots and tell you what we find.
What Rules Apply to Facade Work in Inwood?
The city facade inspection program, Local Law 11, applies to buildings above six stories, and pointing is often how an inspector's findings get closed out. Permits for scaffolding and sheds may apply. Ask the city to confirm what currently applies to your building.
Many Inwood apartment buildings are five or six stories, near the line. Check your building's height with the city, since we do not state heights ourselves, and add a margin when you count stories at a corner where the street slopes. If your building is covered, an engineer or architect files the inspection reports, and we carry out the masonry repairs they call for.
No historic district is confirmed here, but if your address has a special status, facade changes may need approval first.
Sidewalk sheds protect passersby during work above. Your sidewalk remains your responsibility under Admin Code 19-152, and heavy equipment can damage flags, so we protect them. If DOT has cited the address, see our page on sidewalk violations.
Why Us
Why Inwood Boards and Owners Hire Us
Right mortar for old brick
We match strength and color so the wall ages evenly.
Itemized scope
Joint footage, repairs and access are written out in the estimate.
25+ years in NYC
Long experience on pre war masonry across the city.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Inwood
We also repoint brick in the neighborhoods around Inwood.
FAQ
Inwood Brick Pointing Questions
Look for crumbling mortar, gaps you can slide a coin into and white staining. A visit confirms the extent.
People mix the two terms in everyday talk. The estimate spells out the exact work your wall calls for.
We test a sample and adjust the mix. A small color difference fades as the mortar cures.
Yes. Work is outside the building, though noise and scaffolding are part of the job.
Call (718) 468-8803 to book a visit. The estimate is free and in writing.
Free on site estimate
Protect Your Inwood Brick Before Water Gets In
A clear scope and a written price after one visit.
Contact
Request Your Inwood Brick Pointing Quote
Tell us the building, how many stories it has and what you see on the wall. 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.