NoHo Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in NoHo, Manhattan
Failed mortar cut out and replaced on masonry lofts and row houses around Broadway, Lafayette Street and the Bowery, with mortar chosen to suit old brick.
- Mortar matched to the existing brick
- Loose brick reset before pointing
- Free visit and written estimate
Why Does Brick on NoHo Lofts Need Pointing?
NoHo's masonry loft and warehouse buildings have stood for well over a century, and their mortar has weathered at every exposure. Recessed, sandy or cracked joints let rain into the wall. Pointing restores the joint so the wall sheds water and holds together.
Many buildings here were once used for storage and manufacturing and have since been converted to residential co ops and condos. The conversion changed what happens inside, but the brick outside still faces the same weather. Water that gets in behind a facade can reach new interiors.
- Mortar recessed far behind the brick face
- Powdery joints that wash out in rain
- Cracks that follow the bond pattern
- Bricks that have loosened
- Staining under window sills
- Hard gray patches from earlier repairs
Those gray patches are a special concern. Cement rich mortar is harder than old brick. Where it was used in a past repair, it can crack brick edges and trap moisture. Replacing it with a compatible mix is part of the job.
Seeing Mortar Dust on the Sidewalk?
Send a street photo of the wall and we will say what the joints need.
How We Fix It
How Is Brick Repointed on a Loft Building?
The crew grinds or chisels out failed mortar to a set depth, cleans the joints and packs new mortar in layers. Loose bricks are reset first, and the joint is tooled to match the original profile. Work on upper floors is done from a scaffold, a swing stage or a lift.
Access is a major part of any facade job. NoHo lofts are often six stories or more, so the way the crew reaches the work needs a plan. The estimate describes it, including any sidewalk protection.
We test mortar mixes on a small area. The new mortar should be softer than the brick, so moisture escapes through the joint and not through the brick face. Color and joint width are chosen to blend with the surrounding wall.
Where a facade mixes brick with cast iron, we take care at the junctions, because those are where water tends to enter.
Do Landmarks Rules or Local Law 11 Apply to Pointing in NoHo?
Likely both. NoHo has the NoHo Historic District and the NoHo East Historic District, where Landmarks review can apply to exterior work. Buildings above six stories also fall under Local Law 11 facade inspections. Ask the city about your building before work begins.
In a historic district, mortar color, joint profile and tooling can matter. We bring samples and keep records of what we propose, so you have what the city may ask for.
The Local Law 11 report is written by a qualified inspector. When it lists open joints or loose brick, we price and carry out the pointing and repairs that it calls for.
Access over the sidewalk needs protection and approvals. Check the flags below first. See sidewalk repair in NoHo, since vault lights and vault roofs affect where a scaffold can stand.
Do I need to repoint every wall?
Not always. We tell you which walls have failed and which can wait, so you can plan the work in stages.
Why Us
Why NoHo Owners Choose Us for Brick Pointing
Mortar that suits the wall
Old brick needs a softer mix than modern cement.
25+ years in NYC
Loft facades are work we know well.
Access plan in writing
The estimate shows how the crew reaches the work and what approvals apply.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near NoHo
We repoint brick in the neighborhoods around NoHo.
FAQ
NoHo Brick Pointing Questions
Look for recessed or powdery mortar, cracks along joints and stains below windows. A joint that gives way to a screwdriver tip has failed.
Yes. We use a mix softer than the brick so moisture leaves through the joint, not through the brick face.
No. Matching repair is common. Ask the city whether your specific work needs approval.
Usually the board or managing agent. The paperwork goes to whoever has that authority in your building.
We do. Call (718) 468-8803 or use the form below to set a visit.
Free on site estimate
Keep Water Out of Your NoHo Brick
We visit, choose a mortar and give you the price on paper.
Contact
Ask About Brick Pointing in NoHo
Tell us the building height and which walls look worst. Street level 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.