Sunnyside Brick Pointing
Brick Pointing in Sunnyside, Queens
Crumbling mortar replaced on row houses, two family brick homes and apartment buildings so water stays out of the wall.
- Failed mortar cut out and replaced
- Mortar matched to the existing brick
- Free written estimate on site
Why Does Brick Need Pointing in Sunnyside?
Mortar is the sacrificial part of a brick wall, and it erodes before the brick does. Sunnyside has many older brick buildings, and decades of rain and freezing have opened their joints. Once joints open, water gets into the wall and speeds up the damage.
Look at your wall in strong light. Sandy powder at the base, joints you can push a key into and bricks with gaps around them all point to failing mortar.
The brick row houses and attached two family homes here have been standing for generations. Their walls are in good shape when the joints are sound, and in trouble when they are not.
Pointing is cheaper than rebuilding a wall. Caught early, it protects bricks that would otherwise crack and shed their faces.
What Does Repointing Involve?
The crew grinds or hand cuts the old mortar to a set depth, cleans the joints and packs in new mortar. Each joint is shaped with a tool to follow the profile already on the wall. Done correctly, the wall looks like the original, only sound again.
| Wall condition | Approach |
|---|---|
| Scattered open joints | Spot repoint the weak areas |
| Joints failing across a whole wall | Repoint the full wall |
| Loose or cracked bricks | Reset or replace, then repoint |
| Wall bulging or leaning | Stop and assess structure first |
Brick walls in Sunnyside face different weather depending on the side of the building. North facing walls stay damp and grow moss, while walls facing Queens Boulevard take wind driven rain. We start with the worst exposure, since that is where joints fail first.
Parapets and chimney tops are another weak point. They have water reaching them from every side, so their joints open faster than the wall below. We check them from a safe position and include them in the estimate if they need work.
Mortar choice matters on old brick. A mortar harder than the brick can crack the faces over time, so we match the mix to the wall. This is a point we cover at the visit.
Does Sunnyside Gardens Have Special Rules for Brick Work?
Sunnyside Gardens is a historic district, and Landmarks Preservation Commission approval can apply to exterior work there. Matching mortar color and joint style is part of that. Confirm current rules with the city before work on a visible wall.
The Phipps Garden Apartments and homes around the shared courts are part of what makes the area distinct. Owners there should treat visible brick as something to match, not change.
For apartment buildings taller than six stories, Local Law 11 requires periodic facade inspections. Pointing is a common repair that comes out of those inspections, and we can work with your engineer or managing agent on the scope.
Scaffolding or a sidewalk shed may sit on the public walk during brick work. Sidewalk work generally needs a DOT permit, and any damage to the walk falls to the owner to maintain. See sidewalk repair if the flags below the wall need work afterward.
Mortar Falling Out of Your Wall?
We will inspect the joints and the bricks, then quote the repair in writing.
How It Works
How Does a Pointing Job Proceed?
Inspection
We check joints, bricks and signs of water entry.
Estimate
You receive the scope, area and price in writing.
Cut out
Old mortar is removed to a consistent depth.
Repoint
New mortar is packed in, tooled and cleaned.
Nearby
Brick Pointing Near Sunnyside
We repoint brick in these nearby neighborhoods.
FAQ
Sunnyside Brick Pointing Questions
Look for mortar that is cracked, recessed or crumbling, and for bricks that move when pressed. Water stains inside a wall can also point to failed joints.
The terms overlap. Pointing replaces the outer layer of mortar in the joints. Tuckpointing adds a thin contrasting line on top for looks. We explain which applies to your wall.
We mix mortar to match as closely as we can. It will look a little different at first and blend as it ages.
It can reduce water entry through the joints. If a leak comes from another source, such as a roof or flashing, pointing will not fix it.
We do. Call (718) 468-8803 and we will set up a visit and put the price on paper.
Contact
Get Your Sunnyside Pointing Quote
Tell us which walls need work. Photos of the open joints help us prepare.
- 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.