Question 1

Will new bricks match my historic building's existing bricks?

Accepted Answer

We source reclaimed vintage bricks and use custom-pigmented mortar to achieve an invisible match with your existing masonry.

Question 2

What causes bricks to crumble (spalling)?

Accepted Answer

Spalling is caused by water absorption and freeze-thaw cycles, where trapped water freezes, expands, and fractures the brick's surface.

Question 3

Can individual bricks be replaced without damaging surrounding masonry?

Accepted Answer

Yes, skilled masons can carefully extract and replace individual bricks while preserving adjacent masonry perfectly intact.

Question 4

How many bricks can typically be replaced at once?

Accepted Answer

We recommend replacing no more than 10-15% of bricks in a given area to maintain structural integrity during the repair process.

Question 5

Is brick replacement covered by insurance?

Accepted Answer

Coverage depends on cause—storm damage may be covered, while general deterioration from age or neglect typically isn't. We provide documentation for claims.

Question 6

How often should brick facades be repointed (tuckpointed) in NYC?

Accepted Answer

High-exposure NYC exterior facades typically require repointing every 25 to 30 years, while exposed rooftop parapets, chimneys, and windward elevations may require service every 15 to 20 years.

Question 7

What is NYC Local Law 11 (FISP) and does my building require it?

Accepted Answer

Local Law 11 mandates that all NYC buildings taller than six stories must have their exterior walls and appurtenances inspected by a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) every five years.

Question 8

Why is historic lime mortar important instead of modern Portland cement?

Accepted Answer

Historic bricks are soft and porous. Using excessively hard Portland cement creates thermal stress that crushes brick faces (spalling). We custom-mix high-calcium lime Type N mortar matching the historic elasticity.

Question 9

What causes parapet walls to lean or bow outward on NYC brownstones?

Accepted Answer

Thermal expansion and freeze-thaw cycles cause the roof-facing masonry to expand faster than the cold street side, creating cumulative eccentric pressure that tilts the wall toward the street.

Question 10

What causes window lintels to crack the surrounding brickwork?

Accepted Answer

When steel lintels over windows rust without protection, rust jacking expands their volume by up to ten times, lifting masonry above into diagonal stair-step cracks. We replace rusted lintels with galvanized or stainless steel units.

Brick Replacement