Long Island City Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Long Island City, Queens
Row houses, lofts and older industrial buildings in Long Island City have brick that outlasts its mortar. We cut out the weak joints and repoint them.
- Mortar chosen for old brick
- Row houses, lofts and industrial brick
- Free written estimate
Why Does Brick Need Repointing in Long Island City?
Brick is durable, but the mortar between bricks is softer and wears away. Long Island City has many older brick buildings, from Hunters Point row houses to industrial conversions. Wind off the East River, rain and freeze cycles break down mortar joints over the decades.
When joints open, water gets behind the face of the wall. In winter it freezes, expands and pushes the brick faces off. That damage, called spalling, is far more costly to fix than pointing done on time.
- Mortar that is sandy or powdery
- Joints recessed deep into the wall
- Hairline cracks that follow the joints
- Bricks that move when pressed
- Stains inside under a leaking wall
- Plants rooted in open joints
Older industrial buildings often have large walls with decades of weathering. Row houses have smaller facades but more detail, with cornices, lintels and stoop walls that all need sound joints.
Brick near the waterfront takes more wind and salt air than brick in an inland block, and that speeds up the wear.
Mortar Falling Out of Your Brick Wall?
We will inspect the wall, test the mortar and give you a written scope.
How We Fix It
How Is Repointing Done on Older Brick?
The crew cuts or grinds out old mortar to a measured depth, cleans the joints and packs in new mortar in layers. On older brick, the mix must be softer than modern cement mortar. Mortar that is too hard cracks the brick faces instead of the joint.
We test the existing mortar and choose a blend that matches its strength and color as closely as we can. Joints are then tooled to shed water.
Many buildings here are tall or have ground level storefronts, so access is part of the plan. Scaffold or a lift on a public sidewalk needs city approvals, and we tell you if your wall needs them.
Joint style matters on a row house. A flat or slightly recessed joint suits most Hunters Point brick, while a raised joint holds water. We copy the profile already on your wall, so the facade looks the same after the work as before.
Loose bricks are reset or replaced with matching brick before pointing begins.
What Rules Apply to Brick Work in Long Island City?
Rules depend on the building. Hunters Point Historic District properties may need Landmarks Preservation Commission approval for visible work. Tall buildings, above six stories, must follow Local Law 11 facade inspections. Check the details for your address with the city.
Many new towers here are tall enough to fall under facade inspection. Their owners work with engineers on a schedule, and pointing may be part of the repairs the engineer lists.
Row house owners in the historic district should keep to like for like repair. Matching mortar color, joint profile and brick is usually the safest approach. Changing the look of a facade can need approval.
Is a permit needed for pointing?
It depends on the scope. Pointing alone is different from structural repair or work that needs scaffold on the street. We check what your job involves and tell you.
Why Us
Why Long Island City Owners Choose Us for Brick
Mortar matched to the wall
We test and match so the repair does not harm old brick.
25+ years in NYC
Brick work on row houses and industrial walls is familiar ground.
Detailed estimates
Wall area, access and mortar type are written down before work starts.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Long Island City
We repoint brick in neighborhoods close by.
FAQ
Long Island City Brick Pointing Questions
Look for powdery mortar, deep recesses, cracks along joints or stains inside. A short inspection confirms it.
We test patches and get as close as we can. Color settles as the new mortar ages.
People use the words loosely. Repointing replaces worn mortar, and tuckpointing adds a thin decorative line over it.
We work with ladders, lifts and scaffold as the job requires. Buildings above six stories also face Local Law 11 inspections.
We do. Call (718) 468-8803 and ask about a Long Island City brick visit.
Free on site estimate
Protect Your Long Island City Brick
A visit, a clear scope and mortar that matches.
Contact
Schedule Your Long Island City Brick Visit
Tell us the building type and which walls show wear. 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.