Ever strolled across Brick Pointing New York and seen yourself fixated on those ancient brick buildings? Not difficult at all is it They resemble huge Lego sculptures assembled a century ago. The legends whisper between the mortar lines almost here. The truth is, though, that even the toughest bricks begin to show their age after decades of sulking through blizzards and sweltering hot summers. Brick pointing opens the door there.
What then exactly is brick pointing? Let me clean things before the coffee cools. Brick pointing is excavating worn-out, crumbling mortar and filling those joints with fresh material. It’s merely a fancy way to express giving bricks a makeover— minus Botox. Those gaps between the bricks serve more than only decoration. They hold everything together, keep water out, and enable your building to last another hundred years. You are simply begging for drafty rooms and leaks where you least want them without appropriate maintenance.
Let us discuss the reasons this is so important in New York. The buildings of the city consume moisture for breakfast. Old brownstones, warehouses converted lofts, prewar homes—they encounter everything from gritty city filth to Hudson fog. And those small masonry flaws allow water a spot to seep in with every freeze-thaw cycle. The next stop is large, costly repairs and a headache mountain. Staying ahead with brick pointing is therefore plain logical. It’s not bad either that a cleaned-up façade usually turns the neighbors green with envy.
Now, let go of the belief that anyone could accomplish this with a bucket of cement and some elbow grease. That’s like handing a little child finger paints and wishing for the Mona Lisa. Expert masons see obvious signs of fragility on building surfaces, much as experienced investigators do. They mix mortar to replicate the previous materials in texture and color. Should you mismatch, the correction will be noticeable like bright socks at a black-tie event. Many vow for older buildings on lime mortar. It flexes through the seasons, breaths with the bricks, and does not trap moisture inside. Stronger but too aggressive for softer, aged brick are cement-based mortars. Thus, knowing the peculiarities of your building counts.
Everyone’s first concern is: how often must one shell out for this job? Depending on it. You might get away with spot repairs if you live in a Roaring Twenties building and the old mortar is still hanging. But those glowing billboards yelling “fix me,” are sand at the base of your wall, loose bricks, or fractures developing faster than a toddler’s feet.
Prices tags? Oh, you are about to be challenged. New York work is not inexpensive. Making forward plans helps to control the ultimate cost. Ask about their mortar, get some approximations, and always have a quick look at past projects. This is one of those occasions when penny-pinching could ultimately result in far greater water damage and lost appeal down-stream.
Brick pointing is another activity that community preservation groups usually support. Every building cleaned-up essentially saves another chunk of New York’s past for the following generation. Sharp, clean masonry lines can make an old façade pop. Not only keeps buildings healthy but also brightens the neighborhood and—to be honest—helps you project a smart owner.
Remember therefore that a well-pointed wall has actual charm next time you find yourself appreciating masonry while rushing to the metro. One brick at a time will help you to keep New York’s face looking crisp behind those well packed joints.