"Pointing keeps water out of your walls. It is not decoration. It is the first line of defense against NYC weather."
Tuckpointing, repointing, and brick restoration for Brooklyn and Queens buildings. Historic lime mortar matching, color matching for existing brick, waterproofing after completion. We have worked on hundred-year-old brownstones and brand-new brick facades. Proper mortar mix. No shortcuts.
Brick pointing (also called repointing or tuckpointing) is the process of removing deteriorated mortar from the joints between bricks and replacing it with fresh mortar. Mortar joints are the lifeblood of any masonry building — they seal out water, flex with temperature changes, and transfer load between bricks.
Mortar has a lifespan of 25–50 years depending on the mix and exposure. In Brooklyn, where buildings face brutal freeze-thaw cycles, heavy rain, and salt air near the ocean, mortar joints deteriorate faster than in many other cities. Once mortar fails, water penetrates, freezes in winter, expands cracks, and begins destroying the brick and structural system behind it.
The critical rule for historic Brooklyn buildings: mortar must be softer than the brick. Many contractors use Portland cement-heavy mixes that are too hard — they trap moisture, cause spalling, and damage original brownstone and brick that cannot be replaced. MLM Construction Group custom-blends mortars to match the original composition of your building's masonry.
⚡ NYC FISP Compliance
Buildings over 6 stories in NYC require periodic Facade Inspection & Safety Program (FISP) inspections. Failed brick pointing leads to violations, fines, and mandatory repair orders. We help building owners stay compliant.
Complete removal of deteriorated mortar to a depth of ¾ inch minimum and replacement with fresh, properly matched mortar. Done on entire facades or building sections for maximum protection and a uniform finished appearance.
Targeted repair of isolated damaged areas — around windows, water table joints, chimney bases, and parapets. Cost-effective when the majority of the facade is sound. We identify and address problem areas before they spread.
We analyze original mortar composition and custom-blend lime-based mortars to match. For landmark buildings, we work within NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission guidelines. Preserving original character while restoring structural integrity.
Parapet walls take the worst weather exposure of any part of a building. Failed parapet joints allow water to run directly into the roof and wall assembly. We repoint, cap, and waterproof parapets to stop this major source of building leaks.
Corroded steel lintels above windows expand, crack brick, and allow water infiltration. We replace rusted lintels with galvanized steel, rebuild surrounding brickwork, and repoint to match the original facade.
Chimney mortar faces the harshest conditions of any masonry on a building — exposed on all sides, subject to temperature extremes. We repoint chimney crowns, caps, and flashing to stop the most common source of interior water damage in Brooklyn rowhouses.
Hard mortar is stronger than the brick. When the wall flexes, the brick cracks — not the joint. Trapped moisture causes spalling and face destruction. Cannot be reversed on historic brownstone. A very common mistake by inexperienced contractors.
Softer than brick. Flexes with the structure. Allows moisture to escape through the joint rather than through the brick face. Self-healing micro-cracks. Matches original Brooklyn brownstone and pre-war brick construction. Lasts 30–50+ years.
We analyze existing mortar composition, review building age and brick type, and custom-blend a mix with matching color, texture, and hardness. Test panels approved in daylight before full application. Your building looks as it was built — not patched.
Brooklyn's freeze-thaw cycles are brutal. Every crack in your mortar is a path for water to enter, freeze, and expand — damaging your building from the inside. Call MLM Construction Group for a free brick inspection before the damage gets worse.