Brick repair in Allentown, PA - new mortar joints that protect your old brick
Crumbling or sunken mortar lets water into your walls. We find the cause, clear the worn joints and repoint with mortar that suits your brick.
Do your brick walls need repointing?
Brick repair in Allentown is mostly repointing, which some masons call pointing or tuckpointing. We clear the worn mortar out of the joints and pack in fresh mortar, so water stays out of the wall and your brick stays sound.
Most calls start with something you've spotted yourself, like mortar that crumbles when you rub it, sand piling up at the foot of the wall or joints that look sunk back from the brick. I'd rather you understand what's going on with that wall before you decide anything, so on the visit I'll show you what I'm seeing and why it matters.
The price moves with how much wall needs repointing, how deep the joints are worn, how high we have to work and how carefully the old mortar has to come out. The schedule turns on the same things, plus any drainage fix that has to come first and whether the city has to look at exterior work on your house. Your estimate puts the scope in writing, so you can see exactly what you'd be paying for.
- We repoint house walls, garden walls and brick steps, from the ground up to the eaves.
- Worn joints are cleared back to sound mortar, then packed and tooled to match the rest.
- Joints that are still sound stay in place, so you pay for the wall that needs work.
What happens when you call us about brick repair in Allentown?
I come out to every job myself and work alongside the small crew that does the repointing. Here's how a brick repair job usually runs, from your first call to the final walk-through.
Call or send a message
Tell us what you've noticed, your address and whether the house sits in a historic district, and photos of the problem joints help a lot. We get back to you to set up a time for me to come out.
Walk the wall with me
I look at the joints with you, show you what I'm seeing, including where water may be getting in, and explain your options. Then I write up the scope and the price, so you know the cost before anything starts.
Check permits, then do the work
Before work starts, we check with the local office about permits for your property and take care of the application if one is needed. Then our crew and I sort out any water problem, clear the joints and repoint.
Walk the finished job together
When the joints are done, we walk the wall with you so you can see the work up close and ask anything you like. We clean up before we pack up and go.
Brick walls, mortar joints and repointing work up close
These photos show the kind of masonry work this trade covers, from worn joints to freshly tooled ones. They're here to help you put a name to what you're seeing on your own walls.
Outdoor kitchen with a stone veneer island and built-in grill beneath a beige pergola beside a house.
Stone retaining walls frame a backyard patio with a fire pit, seating, and a brick house.
Brick house with a steep gray tile roof, arched entry windows, and a curved driveway bordered by lawn.
Curved stone edging separates a paved path from white gravel and a dense green hedge.
A stone veneer outdoor kitchen features a built-in stainless steel grill and cabinetry beneath a covered patio.
A tall stone fireplace and matching low seating walls stand beneath a dark timber pergola in a grassy backyard.
Get a written repointing estimate for your brick
Send the form or call (610) 424-2415, ideally with photos of the joints, and we'll reply within one business day to set a visit. I'll walk the wall with you and write up a free estimate, with no obligation.
(610) 424-2415Questions Allentown homeowners ask about repointing brick
These are the questions I hear most about worn mortar and repointing. If yours isn't here, ask me on the visit and I'll walk you through it right at the wall.
How do I know if my brick mortar needs repointing?
Your mortar likely needs repointing if it's crumbling, has empty pockets, shows hairline cracks, has pulled away from the brick or is worn back more than 1/4 inch from the face. You can look for these signs yourself from the ground, then have a mason take a closer look before you decide anything.
How long does new mortar last on a brick house?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, while the bricks themselves can last well over 100. That's why the mortar is the part that wears out, and repointing renews it while your brick stays in place.
Why does the strength of new mortar matter when repointing brick?
New mortar should be as strong as the old mortar or weaker, so your brick is spared damage that can't be undone. It's fair to ask any mason how their new mortar compares with what's on your wall now, and I'll tell you before we start.
What is the best way to remove old mortar from historic brick?
National preservation guidance says hand chisels and mash hammers, which are heavy hand hammers, pose the least risk to historic brick in most cases. Power saws and grinders are the most common method because hand work takes far more time, but saws on thin-jointed brick walls almost always break the brick edges, so ask who will do the cutting and with which tools.
Does my mason need to register with the state in Pennsylvania?
Yes, anyone who offers or does home improvements in Pennsylvania has to register with the state Office of Attorney General unless they're exempt, though the state has no license for most construction contractors. People who do less than $5,000 of home improvements in a calendar year don't have to register, so it's worth asking before you hire. We're fully licensed and insured.
How much does it cost to repoint brick in Allentown?
There's no fair number until I've seen the wall, because the price follows the scope and the things that drive it, covered above. Your written estimate spells out which walls we'll repoint, the mortar and how the old joints come out, so you can compare it line by line with other bids.
Brick repair in Allentown and nearby cities
Allentown's building permit list doesn't name brick repair, so we check with City Hall before work starts, and in Old Allentown, Old Fairgrounds or West Park we help you reach the Historic Office early, since exterior alterations there need a Certificate of Appropriateness application. We see the same older brick homes in the cities around Allentown, on both sides of the state line.