Two Bridges Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Two Bridges, Manhattan
Crumbling mortar on tenement walls, parapets and older apartment buildings cut out and replaced so water stays out of the brick.
- Mortar joints cut out to a sound depth
- Mortar matched to the old brick
- Free visit and written estimate
Why Does Brick in Two Bridges Lose Its Mortar?
Mortar is softer than brick and is meant to wear first. After many decades of rain, freeze and thaw cycles and river air, joints erode, crack and fall out. Once water gets behind the face, bricks loosen and moisture reaches the interior.
Two Bridges has many older tenements as well as brick housing developments. The tenements on streets such as Madison and Henry often have walls that have been patched several times. Parapets and chimneys are the most exposed, because rain hits them from every side.
- Joints recessed deeper than a fingernail
- Sandy mortar that rubs off by hand
- Hairline cracks that follow the joints
- White powder on the brick face
- Loose or spalled bricks near the roofline
- Old patches in a different color or hardness
The nearby Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge bring a steady rumble of traffic, and wind off the East River hits upper floors harder than street level blocks. Both are reasons to inspect the upper wall, not only the ground floor.
Seeing Mortar Fall Onto the Sidewalk?
Falling pieces are a safety matter. Contact us and we will take a look.
How We Fix It
How Does Repointing Work?
We grind or chisel out old mortar to a sound depth, clean the joints, then pack fresh mortar in layers and tool it to match the original profile. Loose bricks are reset or replaced. Done correctly, repointing seals the wall without damaging the brick.
Mortar choice matters. Old brick is soft, and a mortar harder than the brick forces moisture through the brick instead of the joint. We pick a mix that suits the wall, and we test small areas for color match before the full job.
Cutting is done carefully. A grinder run too wide chews the brick edges and ruins the look for good. Our crew keeps the cut inside the joint.
Access on tenement buildings means scaffolding or a hung stage. We plan around the street frontage and tell you early if sidewalk protection is part of the job.
Do Facade Rules Affect Brick Work Here?
The facade inspection program, Local Law 11, applies to buildings above six stories. Pointing is a common repair after an inspection finds problems. Scaffolding and sidewalk protection can bring DOB and DOT questions. Confirm current rules with the city.
Most tenements are shorter, but they still fall under general facade maintenance duties. A pointing job that needs scaffolding over the public sidewalk generally requires a permit. Tell us early so we can plan the paperwork and timing.
Nothing on our list puts Two Bridges inside a historic district. If your building is a designated landmark, repair materials and methods may need approval. Check with the city before you order mortar.
If failing masonry has dropped debris on the sidewalk and led to a notice, see our page on sidewalk violations for how the process works.
How long does repointing last?
It depends on the mortar, the exposure and the quality of the work. We do not promise a number of years. We do tell you what we see and what to watch.
Why Us
Why Choose Us for Brick Work
Right mortar for the wall
We match hardness and color to the old brick.
25+ years of masonry
Older brick buildings are everyday work for us.
Clear estimate
Scope, access method and areas covered are listed in writing.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Two Bridges
We repoint brick buildings in the neighborhoods nearby too.
FAQ
Two Bridges Brick Pointing Questions
Look for recessed or crumbling joints, loose bricks and water stains inside. A simple press with a key into the joint tells us a lot.
No. Pointing replaces the mortar between bricks. Damaged bricks are replaced separately when needed.
We test color and texture on a small area first. Perfect matches are not always possible on very old walls, and we explain what to expect.
For anything above ground floor, usually yes. Scaffold over the sidewalk generally needs permits, and we plan that with you.
Call (718) 468-8803 to arrange a visit and get a written estimate.
Free on site estimate
Protect Your Two Bridges Brick Walls
Sound mortar keeps water out and walls standing.
Contact
Request a Two Bridges Pointing Quote
Give us the number of floors and name the walls that worry you. Photos help us plan scaffold access.
- 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.