Little Italy Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Little Italy, Manhattan
Mortar repair for the old tenement facades above the restaurants and shops of Mulberry Street, Grand Street and the streets around them.
- Joints raked out and refilled
- Mortar chosen to suit old brick
- Written price after a free visit
Local Conditions
Why Do Little Italy Tenement Walls Lose Mortar?
These tenements are old, and the mortar in them is older than anyone now living in the building. Years of rain, freeze and thaw, and vibration from trucks on Canal Street and Centre Street wear it out. The brick usually outlasts the mortar by a wide margin.
Most of the buildings here are walk ups with shops at street level. The ground floor often has a modern storefront in steel and glass, and the old brick starts just above it. The joint between the two is a weak point where water enters.
Cooking exhaust from restaurant kitchens can also stain and soften the wall above a vent. If you see dark streaks and crumbling joints in the same area, the two are probably connected.
How Is Old Tenement Brick Pointed Without Damaging It?
Carefully, and with the right mortar. Old brick in these buildings is softer than modern brick, so a hard cement mortar can crack its faces. We choose a mortar that is softer than the brick, rake out the old joints to a controlled depth and pack the new mix in layers.
Grinders are fast but can scar soft brick. On fine old work, we use hand tools or work the joint with a light touch. We tell you which method we plan to use before work starts.
A repointed wall should look like it has always been there. We match the tooled profile of the joint and test the color on a small area. Some owners prefer a visible change, and that is possible too, as long as it is agreed in writing.
What about painted brick?
Some facades here have been painted over several times. Paint hides joint damage and traps moisture. We look at it closely, and we will say when paint should come off before pointing begins.
Loose mortar over a Mulberry Street shop? Request a visit and we will check the wall.
Request Your Quote Call NowWhat Affects Cost
What Decides What Brick Pointing Costs on a Tenement?
Wall area
The number of square feet of brick to be pointed is the largest factor in the price.
Joint depth
Joints that have eroded deep take more mortar and more time than shallow ones.
Access method
A four or five story front needs scaffolding or a lift. A low wall can be done from a ladder.
Brick condition
Any cracked or spalled bricks that must be replaced are listed separately in the estimate.
We price after standing in front of the wall. The estimate states the area, the method and the mortar.
Get a Free EstimateThe Schedule
How Long Does Facade Pointing Take?
A small front can be finished in days. A full tenement face with scaffolding takes longer, and permits for a sidewalk shed or scaffold add two to three business days. We schedule around the shops below so doors stay open.
Survey the wall
We check joint depth, loose brick and the seam above the storefront.
Estimate
The written price covers area, access and mortar type.
Access and permits
Scaffold, lift and any required permits are arranged.
Point the joints
Mortar is cut out, joints are cleaned and new mortar is packed and tooled.
Clean down
Debris is removed and the wall is checked against the scope.
Does Brick Pointing in Little Italy Need Approvals?
Scaffolding or a sidewalk shed over the public walk generally needs a permit. The repointing itself is a repair. Buildings taller than six stories fall under the Local Law 11 facade program, though most walk ups here are shorter. Confirm current rules with the city.
Our notes show no historic district on these streets. If your building has an individual landmark designation, ask the city before you change the look of the brick.
Work above the sidewalk often goes together with sidewalk repairs, since a shed or scaffold will occupy the same frontage. It makes sense to plan both at once.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Little Italy
We also repoint buildings in the neighboring areas.
FAQ
Little Italy Brick Pointing Questions
Yes. We keep shop doors clear and plan the scaffold so signs and entrances remain usable.
We test a sample on a small area before committing to the whole wall.
We can discuss cleaning, though stains are often a sign of a vent issue that should be fixed first.
Cracked bricks are replaced and listed in the estimate on their own line.
We do. Call (718) 468-8803 to arrange a visit.
Contact
Get Your Little Italy Brick Pointing Quote
Give us the address, the number of floors and any photos of the damaged mortar.
- 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.