Hollis Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Hollis, Queens
Failing mortar cut out and replaced on brick homes, chimneys, stoops and garden walls across Hollis.
- Joints raked and filled by hand
- Mortar matched to your brick
- Free written estimate
Local Conditions
Why Does Mortar Fail on Hollis Brick Homes?
Builders make mortar softer than brick so the mortar takes the wear. On detached Hollis houses, every wall faces the weather on its own, with no neighbor to shelter it. Rain, wind and freezing cycles slowly erode the joints until water reaches the bricks and the wall behind them.
Hollis has a mix of detached frame and brick homes, with some attached houses and small apartment buildings. Brick homes here often have a chimney, a front stoop with brick sides and a low garden wall. Each of these takes a hard beating.
Chimneys are the most exposed. They stand above the roof in full wind and rain, and the mortar at the top fails first. Loose bricks on a chimney are a safety issue and should be looked at promptly.
High groundwater in southeast Queens adds damp at the base of walls. Moisture rising from the ground can leave white powder on the brick and wear the bottom courses faster than the rest.
How Is Brick Repointing Done?
Crews cut the old mortar out to a set depth, clean each joint and press new mortar in layer by layer. The joint is then tooled to match the profile of the wall. Done right, repointing seals the wall against water and restores its strength.
Mortar choice matters. A mix that is too hard cracks soft old brick. We test the existing mortar and use a compatible blend, so the wall can still breathe and move slightly.
We work in small sections and top off each one before moving on. That keeps the new mortar from drying before it is tooled. After the joints cure, we brush the wall and remove the dust.
How can I tell my brick needs pointing?
Look for joints you can scrape with a key, gaps wide enough to see into, loose or missing bricks, and water stains inside the wall. Any of these is a reason to call.
Mortar crumbling on your chimney or stoop? We will inspect it and tell you what it needs.
Schedule a Site Visit Call NowCost Factors
What Drives the Cost of Brick Pointing in Hollis?
Wall area
The number of square feet of brick sets the labor more than anything else.
Joint condition
Deep decay takes longer to rake out than surface wear.
Height and access
A tall chimney or a gable end needs staging or a lift.
Mortar match
Matching an old color and texture takes sampling and care.
We measure the wall and write the scope into a clear estimate before you commit.
Request Your QuoteProcess
What Are the Steps From Inspection to Finished Wall?
Inspection
We look at the joints, the bricks and any water signs inside.
Estimate
The scope and the price arrive on paper.
Setup
We protect plants, windows and the ground below the work.
Raking and pointing
We rake out the old mortar and fill each joint fresh.
Cleanup
We brush the wall down and clear all debris.
Does Pointing a Hollis House Need a Permit?
Ordinary repointing at ground level on a private house usually does not involve the DOT. Scaffolding over a public sidewalk can need a permit, and larger facade work can involve the Department of Buildings. We check which applies and confirm current rules with the city.
Hollis has no historic district that we know of. Buildings taller than six stories fall under the Local Law 11 facade program, but most Hollis homes are far below that height.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Hollis
We repoint brick in these nearby neighborhoods as well.
FAQ
Hollis Brick Pointing Questions
Pointing is the finishing of mortar joints. Repointing means removing old mortar and filling the joints again. People use the terms for the same job.
We cut to a depth that gives the new mortar a solid grip, usually a bit more than the joint is wide, without damaging the brick edges.
Yes. Many Hollis owners start with the chimney, since it is the most exposed part of the house.
We sample the existing mortar and match color and texture as closely as we can. New mortar may look different at first and weathers toward the old.
It often helps by keeping rain out of the joints. If dampness comes from the ground or a leak, we find the cause before sealing anything.
Call (718) 468-8803 and we will arrange a free visit with a written estimate.
Contact
Request Your Hollis Brick Pointing Estimate
Give us your address and a few photos of the worst joints. We will schedule a look at the wall.
- 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.