Blog
Yes—brick pointing works in winter if walls stay above 40°F for 48-72 hours. Below that, cement hydration stops and joints fail by spring.
Lime mortar lasts 30-50 years on historic brick vs. 10-15 for cement. Lime breathes and flexes; cement traps moisture causing spalling.
Paint over failing joints traps moisture and accelerates brick damage. The safe sequence: diagnose moisture, repoint with compatible mortar, cure, then coat.
Perfect mortar match proven on the wall, not paper. Use neighborhood cues—brick firing, patina, joint profile—and approve daylight test panels first.
Review mortar test panels at 3 distances and 3 times of day—joint profile and sand texture shift color as much as pigment does.
Review test panels at 3 distances under AM/Noon/PM light to validate mortar breathability, texture, and joint profile before NYC repointing.
Test panels catch mortar color mismatches before full repointing begins. NYC requires lime-based mixes weaker than brick to prevent moisture damage.
Lime-rich mortar protects Brooklyn brownstones by staying softer than brick. Test panels reviewed at 10-15 ft reveal color shifts before scaling work.
NYC brick repointing takes 3-4 weeks with dust controls, CNMP filings, and 7AM-6PM work windows. What neighbors need to know about permits and protection.
Over-hard mortar stresses historic brick and traps moisture inside walls. Compatible lime-based mixes allow vapor escape and last 30+ years when done right.