Type N mortar (most common for NYC historic), Type O (very soft, for very old/soft historic brick), Type S (modern). Color-matched to historic. Lime-based mortars available for landmark properties. Salvaged or matching new bricks. ProSoCo or Cathedral Stone brick cleaners.
How much does tuckpointing cost in NYC?
Standard tuckpointing: $20–$45 per linear foot. Historic match (lime mortar, color match): $35–$70/linear foot. Brick replacement: $25–$60 per brick depending on access and matching difficulty. A typical NYC brownstone facade tuckpointing project runs $8,000–$35,000.
Why does my chimney mortar keep failing?
Three reasons: (1) chimneys are exposed to rain on all sides, accelerating mortar erosion; (2) freeze-thaw cycles destroy old soft mortar; (3) often the original mortar was lime-based (very soft) and modern Portland cement-based "repairs" caused damage by being too hard and trapping moisture in the bricks.
What is the difference between tuckpointing and pointing?
Technically: pointing is replacing failed mortar joints. Tuckpointing originally referred to installing two-tone joints to mimic expensive cut-stone construction in cheap brick — but in modern usage, "tuckpointing" and "pointing" are used interchangeably. In NYC, "tuckpointing" usually just means replacing mortar.
Do you do landmarks-approved masonry?
Yes — we work in NYC historic districts (brownstone Brooklyn, Greenwich Village, Brooklyn Heights, Forest Hills, etc.) with LPC-approved mortar matches and historic-appropriate techniques.
Do you handle Local Law 11 facade work?
Yes — we handle the masonry repair component of Local Law 11 (FISP) compliance for buildings 6+ stories. We coordinate with the QEWI inspector and provide all required documentation.
How long does new tuckpointing last?
Properly done with the right mortar mix: 50–80+ years. Many original NYC mortar joints from the 1880s–1920s lasted 100+ years before needing repair.
