Tribeca Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Tribeca, Manhattan
Mortar repair for converted warehouses, cast iron and brick lofts and the Federal row houses of Harrison Street, matched to the historic fabric.
- Mortar tested and matched before work
- Landmarks aware scope and materials
- Free on site written estimate
Local Conditions
Why Does Tribeca Brick Need Specialist Pointing?
The brick here is old, and much of it is soft. Warehouse walls from the nineteenth century and the Federal row houses were built with lime based mortar. Modern hard cement can crack such brick. Pointing here is about matching strength, color and joint style as well as filling gaps.
The district is a mix of converted warehouses and lofts in cast iron and brick, Federal row houses on Harrison Street and newer high rise condos. The older buildings carry the pointing problems, and many stand inside the Tribeca West, East, North and South Historic Districts.
Because of that, visible masonry work can come under Landmarks Preservation Commission review. We recommend asking the city or the LPC before you start, so the mortar and the method are approved up front.
Wet conditions make it worse. The western blocks near the Hudson are low lying and in the coastal flood zone, and walls that stay damp lose mortar faster.
How Do You Match Mortar on a Historic Warehouse Wall?
We study what is there. A sample of the old mortar shows its color, grain and hardness, and we build a mix that matches and stays softer than the brick. A test panel on a small area lets you and any reviewer see the result before the full wall is done.
The joint profile matters as much as the mix. Narrow struck joints, flush joints and raked joints each give a different look, and we copy the original rather than impose a new style.
- Lime based mortar eroded behind the face
- Cement patches that cracked the brick around them
- Open joints at parapets and window sills
- Damp stains near the base of walls
- Loose bricks above sidewalk level
If you have an old cement repair, we cut it out carefully. Grinding too hard damages the brick edge, so crews use hand tools or small grinders with care near the bricks.
Cost Factors
What Goes Into a Repointing Estimate Here?
Wall area and height
Tall warehouse walls need staging or lifts, which changes cost and schedule.
Mortar matching
Testing and matching a historic mix takes time that a standard job does not.
Removal of hard patches
Cutting out old cement without hurting the brick is slow, careful work.
Review and filings
Landmarks review and Department of Buildings filings add steps for some jobs.
The written estimate lists wall area, mortar method and any brick replacement, so bids can be compared fairly.
Get a Free EstimateDoes Local Law 11 Involve Pointing in Tribeca?
It can. Buildings taller than six stories fall under Local Law 11 and its facade inspection cycle, and open mortar on upper floors can be listed as a repair needed condition. Many loft buildings and high rise condos here are tall enough. The inspector decides what a report says.
Falling brick and mortar above the sidewalk is a safety issue. If an inspection flags it, the owner has to deal with it, and a sidewalk shed may protect the walkway meanwhile. Sheds and scaffolding involve the Department of Buildings.
We confirm requirements with the city for each building and keep the paperwork in order, including the dated photos that show what was fixed.
Process
What Are the Stages of Historic Brick Pointing?
Survey and sample
We examine the wall and take a mortar sample for matching.
Test panel
A small area is pointed for your approval and any review.
Cut out
Failed mortar is removed without damaging brick edges.
Point and tool
The new mortar is packed in layers and tooled to the original profile.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Around Tribeca
Nearby neighborhoods where we repoint brick buildings.
FAQ
Tribeca Brick Pointing Questions
Hard cement can crack old soft brick. We use a softer, matched mix.
It can, because Tribeca holds four historic districts. We advise asking the city or the LPC first.
We repoint the brick portions of mixed facades and coordinate with other trades for the iron.
We plan staging or lifts to suit the building and explain the access plan in the estimate.
Call (718) 468-8803 or use the form below.
Contact
Schedule Your Tribeca Pointing Estimate
Share the building address, height and a photo of the joints.
- 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.