University Heights Masonry
Masonry Contractor in University Heights, the Bronx
Retaining walls, parapets, lintels and brick walls repaired or rebuilt on the hills above the Harlem River.
- Brick, block and stone work
- Licensed and insured crews
- Free visit and a written price
Local Conditions
What Masonry Work Do Hillside Buildings Need?
University Heights has steep grades toward the Harlem River, so many buildings sit beside or below a slope. Retaining walls, stairway walls and foundation walls hold back soil, and water pressure behind them is the main cause of leaning and cracking. Parapets and lintels age too.
Pre war apartment buildings carry masonry at every level. Parapets crown the roof, lintels sit over every window and brick faces run the full height. Each has its own failure points.
Private buildings near the college campus show the same aging, and we work on private property only.
Where a stairway climbs the hill beside a building, the walls beside it hold the soil in place. A bulge there is a warning sign.
Which Masonry Problems Need Quick Attention?
Loose brick at a parapet, a leaning retaining wall and a cracked lintel over a window deserve quick attention. Each can fail suddenly and drop material onto a sidewalk or yard. Pointing and small repairs are usually cheaper when done early.
- Parapets that lean or shed brick
- Retaining walls that bulge or tilt
- Rusting lintels that crack the brick above
- Stair walls with open joints
- Chimneys with crumbling crowns
- Cracks that run through several courses
A rusting lintel expands as it corrodes and pushes the brick above it apart. The crack over a window is the sign. Replacing the lintel and rebuilding that small section stops the damage.
When do you need an engineer?
A bulging or leaning wall, or one with large stepped cracks, may need structural review. We say so honestly and promise no result before the cause is known.
What Rules and Permits Apply to Masonry Here?
Local Law 11 covers facades on buildings taller than six stories. Retaining walls, structural masonry and scaffolding can need Department of Buildings permits. Confirm current rules with the city. No historic district in University Heights is known to us.
Owners of taller buildings must have facades inspected at set intervals. When the report lists unsafe conditions, they must be fixed. We do the masonry portion and keep records for the owner.
Masonry entirely on your lot does not need the DOT sidewalk permit. Work on the public walk, such as a shed, does. See sidewalk violations if DOT cited the sidewalk below your wall.
How Do We Rebuild a Hillside Wall?
We start with the footing and the drainage. The failed section comes down, a new footing is set and the wall goes back up with ties, weep holes and a gravel drain behind it. Caps are sloped to shed water. We match the original brick or stone as closely as we can.
Water behind a retaining wall is the usual cause of failure. Without a way out, it builds pressure until the wall moves. A good drain behind the wall matters as much as the masonry in front.
On sloped lots, materials arrive by hand or on small carts. We plan access before we start so the hillside is not damaged.
Cost Factors
What Affects Masonry Costs?
Size and height
Longer and taller walls need more material and more scaffolding.
Material
Brick, block and stone each carry different costs and skills.
Footing and drainage
A new wall on a slope needs a deep footing and a drain behind it.
Access
Steep sites slow material handling and raise labor.
Your price comes in writing after we measure.
Get a Free EstimateTimeline
How Does a Masonry Job Run?
Small repairs take a few days. A rebuilt retaining wall takes longer, and permit work comes before the crew starts. Your estimate includes a schedule so you know what to expect.
Site visit
We inspect the wall, footing and drainage.
Estimate and permits
The scope is in writing, and permits are flagged.
Takedown and footing
Failed sections come down and a footing goes in.
Build and cap
New masonry goes up with ties, drains and sloped caps.
Nearby
Masonry Near University Heights
Nearby neighborhoods where we also do masonry.
FAQ
University Heights Masonry Questions
Usually the cause is water pressure behind the wall. Without drainage, the soil pushes the wall forward.
Yes. We support the brick, remove the old lintel, set a new one and rebuild the small section above it.
Yes, with scaffolding or lifts and the permits those need.
For bulging walls or large stepped cracks, possibly. We tell you at the visit.
Yes. We inspect, then send a written price, with no fee. Call (718) 468-8803.
Contact
Request Your University Heights Masonry Quote
Describe the damage and attach photos of the wall or parapet.
- 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.