Auburndale Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Auburndale, Queens
Worn mortar cut out and replaced on Auburndale brick fronts, chimneys, garden apartment buildings and the low walls that edge front yards.
- Brick fronts, chimneys and walls
- Mortar matched to the brick
- Free on site estimate in writing
Which Auburndale Buildings Need Brick Pointing?
Any building with brick joints that have crumbled or receded needs pointing. In Auburndale that includes brick faced houses, chimneys on frame and brick homes, garden apartment buildings and brick garden walls. Many are decades old, and their original mortar has reached the end of its life.
The neighborhood is mostly detached homes, with garden apartments and some attached houses. Not every house is brick, but plenty have a brick front, a brick chimney or brick steps, and those parts weather like any other.
Garden apartment buildings have large brick surfaces, parapets and entry walls. Loose mortar at a parapet can send water down inside the wall and into top floor apartments.
Shade from the street trees keeps some walls damp, and damp brick freezes and loosens mortar faster than a dry wall does.
You can check from the ground. Look for gaps between the bricks, sandy debris at the wall base and bricks with chipped faces.
Painted brick needs a closer look. Paint can trap moisture and hide the state of the joints, so we check what is under it before we quote.
Mortar Joints
How Is a Brick Wall Repointed?
The loose mortar is cut out to a proper depth, the joints are cleaned and new mortar is packed in and tooled to shed water. Done properly, this keeps moisture out and locks the bricks in place. Smearing new mortar over old joints does neither, and it fails quickly.
Mortar must be softer than the brick. A hard mix on older brick causes the brick faces to spall, so we choose a formula close to the original.
We match the color as closely as we can, and test small patches first when the wall is highly visible.
Height sets the equipment. A front wall needs a ladder, while a two story facade or a chimney calls for scaffold or a lift.
After the mortar sets, we brush the wall and clean the site.
Timing matters for mortar. It cures best in mild, damp weather, so we avoid hard freezes and heavy rain when we can.
Old joints are cut with care so the edges of the bricks stay sharp. Rough grinding leaves scars that show for years.
Do Chimneys in Auburndale Need Pointing?
If a chimney shows open joints, leaning bricks, a cracked crown or white staining, yes. The chimney is the most exposed brick on a house, with wind and rain hitting it from every side, and loose mortar up there can drop bricks to the ground.
Leaks around a chimney often appear indoors as brown stains on the ceiling or wall. Pointing may solve the leak, or flashing may need work as well.
Some chimneys are past pointing. If the bricks are loose or the stack is leaning, rebuilding it is the safe answer, and we tell you so.
Lined flues and fireplace use are a separate topic. We work on the brick, and a chimney sweep or an inspector handles the flue.
If you see bricks near the top that look out of line, tell us on the first call. That may need attention sooner than the rest.
What Brick Problem Needs What Repair?
The fix depends on the condition of the wall. This table covers the problems we see most on Auburndale brick.
Small repairs early on save large ones later. A wall repointed in sections lasts as long as one done all at once.
| What you see | What usually makes sense |
|---|---|
| Joints worn but firm | Watch them, repoint in sections if needed |
| Joints crumbling or missing | Cut out and repoint the affected areas |
| Bricks with broken faces | Replace the bricks, then repoint |
| Chimney with loose bricks | Rebuild the loose part and repoint the stack |
| Damp stains inside the wall | Find the leak, then repoint the wall above it |
| White powder on the brick | Check for moisture getting in and treat the cause |
We will show you which category your wall falls into during the visit.
Painted or sealed walls need an extra check before any pointing.
Do Tall Garden Apartment Buildings Need Facade Inspections?
Buildings taller than six stories fall under the city facade inspection program, Local Law 11, which requires inspections every five years. Most Auburndale buildings are lower than that. If yours is not, the inspection report tells you what repairs are needed. Confirm current rules with the city.
Pointing is a common repair in those reports, along with parapet work. We work from the report and from what we see on the wall.
What affects the price of pointing anywhere is wall area, height, mortar depth, mortar match and access equipment. A written price follows a free visit.
If you are unsure which category your building is in, count the stories and check with the city. We can help you read the report once you have it.
Mortar Falling Out?
Send a photo of the wall or chimney. We will tell you how deep the problem goes.
The Process
How a Pointing Job Runs in Auburndale
Survey
We look at joints, bricks and the flashing around them.
Written price
You get a clear scope, with any brick replacement listed apart.
Cut out
Loose mortar is removed to a proper depth and the joints cleaned.
Repoint
New mortar is packed in and tooled to shed water.
Cleanup
The wall is brushed down and debris is hauled away.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Auburndale
We also point brick in the neighborhoods around Auburndale.
FAQ
Auburndale Brick Pointing Questions
Look for mortar that is crumbling, recessed deeply or missing. Loose bricks and damp spots inside are also signs. Joints that are worn but firm can wait.
The words are used for related work. Repointing replaces failing mortar with new mortar. We explain the exact scope in the estimate so you know what is included.
We match color and strength as closely as we can and often try a test area first. Small differences fade as the new mortar weathers.
Yes. We check the crown, the joints and the flashing and tell you if the chimney needs rebuilding before pointing.
Yes. We look at the wall and give a written price at no cost. Call (718) 468-8803 to set a visit.
Contact
Request Your Auburndale Pointing Quote
Tell us what needs pointing and how high it is. A photo of the joints helps.
- 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.