Brick Pointing in Manhattan Valley, Manhattan

Which Manhattan Valley Walls Need Repointing?

Brick fronts on the tenements and row houses of the side streets, and the larger masonry walls of pre war buildings on Central Park West, all lose mortar over time. Joints turn sandy and recede, and water follows them into the wall. The brick often has decades of life left.

Many blocks here have a mix of brownstone fronts and brick tenements side by side. Brownstone is a soft stone that needs its own approach, while brick fronts take mortar repair directly.

Weather exposure differs by face. The north wall of a brownstone stays damp and grows moss, while the south wall bakes and cracks. We often find the north side needs deeper repair even though the south side looks worse from the sidewalk.

Pre war buildings on the park side have taller walls, parapets and ornament. Joints high on the wall take the most weather and are the hardest to see from the street.

Look for sandy mortar that comes off on your fingers, joints with visible gaps, and stains beneath window ledges.

Do Pre War Buildings Here Fall Under Local Law 11?

If a building is taller than six stories, yes. Many Central Park West buildings qualify. The facade inspection program requires owners to repair unsafe conditions found by a qualified inspector, and mortar work is often part of it. Ask the city about your own building and today's rules.

Row houses and low tenements are usually under that height. They do not follow the program, though water damage still applies.

The notes for this neighborhood list no historic district. A building with its own landmark status would need approval before the look of the brick or mortar changes.

What about scaffolding over the sidewalk?

A scaffold or shed over the public walk generally needs a permit. If the walk below is cracked, plan that repair at the same time, and read our page on sidewalk violations.