Morningside Heights Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Morningside Heights, Manhattan
Failed mortar cut out and replaced on pre war apartment buildings and co ops, with mortar matched to older brick and Landmarks questions handled early.
- Mortar matched to the existing brick
- Loose brick reset before pointing
- Written estimate after a free visit
Why Do Pre War Buildings Here Need Repointing?
The brick buildings of Morningside Heights have stood through many winters. Their mortar joints erode, crack and recede, and once open they let rain into the wall. Repointing renews the joints so water stays out and the brick keeps its bond.
Many apartment houses along Riverside Drive, Claremont Avenue and West 116th Street were built in the early twentieth century with lime based mortar. That mortar was meant to be softer than the brick. It sacrifices itself to weather, which is why it needs to be replaced from time to time.
Brick on a tall apartment house is also hard to inspect from the street. A joint that looks fine from the ground can be open at the sixth floor. A close survey from a lift or stage gives a truer picture, and it is the right basis for a price. We note findings on a drawing so your board can see where the work will happen.
Buildings facing the Hudson take wind from the river. On the east side, near Morningside Park, shaded walls stay damp longer. Both conditions speed up joint failure, in different ways.
How Can You Tell Which Joints Have Failed?
Look for mortar that is sunken behind the brick face, sandy or powdery, or cracked along its length. Press a key into the joint. If it sinks in, the mortar is gone. Stains below sills and parapets also point to water getting into the wall.
| Sign | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| Powdery joint | Mortar has broken down |
| Deep recess | Mortar washed out over many years |
| Hairline step crack | Movement in the wall, worth a closer look |
| Hard gray patches | Old repair in a mix that is too hard |
| Efflorescence | Water moving through the wall |
Hard gray patches are a quiet problem. A cement rich mix can crack the faces of older brick, so the wall ends up in worse shape than before. We cut those out and replace them with a mix that suits the wall.
Does Landmarks Review or Local Law 11 Apply to Pointing?
Possibly both. Part of the area is the Morningside Heights Historic District, where Landmarks review can apply to exterior work. Buildings taller than six stories also fall under Local Law 11 inspections. The city can confirm what applies to your address today.
Local Law 11 is about the condition of the facade. The inspector writes the report. We carry out the repointing and brick repairs that it calls for.
In a historic district, a mortar color, joint profile or tooling style can matter. We bring samples so the choice is clear before work begins, and we help assemble the information the city may ask for.
Access over the sidewalk needs approvals, and the sidewalk below a shed is worth checking first. See sidewalk repair in Morningside Heights if the flags need work.
Mortar Washing Out After Every Storm?
Send a photo of the wall and we will tell you what the joints need.
The Process
What Happens During Repointing?
The crew sets up access, grinds out failed mortar to a controlled depth, cleans the joints and packs in new mortar in layers. Loose brick is reset first. Once the joints are tooled to match, the area is cleaned.
Survey
We study the wall and mark where joints have failed.
Mortar test
We select a mix and color that suits the brick.
Access
Scaffold, stage or lift is arranged with the required approvals.
Cut and point
Old mortar comes out, new mortar goes in.
Clean
Joints are tooled and surfaces cleaned.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Morningside Heights
We repoint brick in nearby neighborhoods too.
FAQ
Morningside Heights Brick Pointing Questions
Deep enough to reach sound material, usually about twice the joint width. We avoid cutting into the brick itself.
We test mixes on a small area first. Color changes as mortar cures, so we let samples dry before you approve one.
Typically the board or managing agent approves the estimate. We send the paperwork to them.
Yes, though water can enter anywhere there is an open joint. We can set priorities if budget is limited.
We do. Call (718) 468-8803 or use the form below to set up a visit.
Contact
Ask About Brick Pointing in Morningside Heights
Tell us the building height, whether it sits in the historic district and which walls look worst. 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.