Question 1

What is Local Law 11 and does my building need compliance?

Accepted Answer

Local Law 11 (FISP) is an NYC regulation requiring professional facade inspections every 5 years for buildings over 6 stories tall.

Question 2

What happens if my building fails Local Law 11 inspection?

Accepted Answer

You receive a violation requiring repairs within a specified timeframe. Emergency repairs may be mandated immediately for unsafe conditions.

Question 3

How long does a full facade restoration take?

Accepted Answer

Depending on building size and damage extent, facade restoration typically takes 3-12 months with proper staging and safety provisions.

Question 4

Can facade restoration be done while building is occupied?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we use scaffolding, sidewalk sheds, and protective netting to allow safe building operation during exterior restoration work.

Question 5

How much does Local Law 11 compliance cost?

Accepted Answer

Costs vary widely based on building size and repair needs, from $10,000 for minor repairs to millions for complete facade restoration.

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.

Facade Restoration