Masonry restoration in Allentown PA - joints that let old brick breathe
Crumbling mortar, gaps or cracks along your brick? We repoint and clean gently so the wall dries out and the brick keeps its face.
Does my brick wall need restoration, or just some patching?
Masonry restoration in Allentown is mostly repointing, where we rake out the worn mortar joints between bricks or stones and refill them with mortar that lets moisture leave the wall, because mortar that traps water ends up damaging the brick or stone itself.
Most calls start with mortar that's crumbling, gaps along a joint or a chimney that's started to look rough, often on an older Allentown home. Sometimes it's only the joints, and sometimes a few bricks have cracked or flaked and need brick repair along with the new mortar.
The price mostly follows how much of the wall needs new joints, how deep the old mortar has worn and how hard the wall is to reach. The schedule turns on the weather, any historic review and what I find once the joints are opened up. Allentown's permit list doesn't name restoration work, so before we start we check with the city's permit office for your address and take care of the application if one's needed. We're fully licensed and insured, and the estimate puts the scope in writing so you can see exactly what you'd be paying for.
- We rake worn joints back to sound mortar before any new mortar goes in.
- Cracked or flaked bricks get replaced so the new joints have solid edges to bond to.
- Brick walls, chimneys, steps and stone walls all fit, since the joint work is much the same.
What happens when you call us about restoring your brick?
I come out to look at the job myself and work alongside the small crew that does it. Here's how a job goes from your first call to the walk-through at the end.
Call, email or send a message
Reach us at (610) 424-2415, at office@allentownconcreteandmasonry.com or through the form, and tell us which walls or chimney are bothering you. We'll get back to you to set up a time for me to come out.
Walk the wall together
I look at the joints and the brick with you, show you what I'm seeing and explain your options, including what I can't know until a joint is opened up. You get the scope in writing, so you can weigh it and decide in your own time.
Check permits, then do the work
Once you're ready, we check with the local office about permits for your property. Then our crew and I rake out the worn joints, repoint the wall and do any cleaning we agreed on.
Walk through the finished job
Before we pack up, we walk the finished wall with you so you can look at the joints and the color match up close. We clean up the site as part of the job.
Repointed joints, repaired brick and restored stone walls
These photos show the kind of joint work, brick repair and cleaning a restoration job involves. They come from a general library of masonry work, not our own jobs, so treat them as a guide to finishes.
A covered outdoor kitchen features a stone island, stainless-steel grill, dark ceramic cooker and flagstone floor.
Stone patio steps connect two paved levels, bordered by low stone walls and planted containers.
A tall stone fireplace and matching low seating walls stand beneath a dark timber pergola in a grassy backyard.
An outdoor kitchen island with a pale stone countertop and dark stone veneer stands on a large paved patio.
Outdoor kitchen with a stone veneer island and built-in grill beneath a beige pergola beside a house.
Stone masonry fireplace with a lit fire and mounted TV anchors a covered outdoor seating area.
Get a written restoration scope for your brick walls
Send photos of the worn joints and your address, and we'll reply within one business day to set up a free estimate at your property. I'll walk the wall with you and put the scope in writing, with no obligation.
(610) 424-2415Questions about repointing and restoring old brick
These are the questions I hear most when someone in Allentown is looking at worn mortar. They cover how to spot the problem, what mortar to use, how long it lasts and what it costs.
How do I know if my brick walls need repointing?
Look for mortar worn back more than 1/4 inch from the brick face, mortar that crumbles, gaps in the joints, hairline cracks or cracks running between the brick and the mortar. You can check for these yourself before you call, and photos of the worst spots help me see what I'm walking into.
What kind of mortar should be used on an old brick house?
Use mortar that's weaker than the brick, because mortar stronger than the brick makes the brick faces spall, or flake off. On older and historic buildings, lime mortar is usually a good fit, since it's soft and porous and changes little in size as temperatures rise and fall. It's a fair question to ask any crew before work begins.
How long do new mortar joints last?
Mortar joints typically last more than 25 years, while the brick itself may well last more than 100. That means a brick house will usually need its joints redone during the life of the brick, and that's normal wear, not a sign the last job failed.
Is it safe to power wash old brick?
Usually not. High-pressure water can easily etch soft stone and some brick, and abrasive blasting leaves brick rough and pitted, which is why we start with the gentler options described above.
How much does masonry restoration cost in Allentown?
Your price comes from the written scope after I've seen the wall, because it turns on how deep the joints are worn, how much of the wall needs work, how many bricks need replacing and whether we need scaffolding to reach it. Gentle cleaning and color matching add some time, and on older brick they're usually worth it. Call (610) 424-2415 or use the form to set up a visit.
When is the best time of year to clean old brick?
Cleaning that uses water should happen only when there's no chance of frost or freezing, because water left inside the masonry can freeze and cause spalling and cracking. We plan wet cleaning for the warmer part of the year and talk timing through with you at the estimate.
Masonry restoration in Allentown and nearby cities
In Old Allentown, Old Fairgrounds and West Park, the city's historic district rules can bring mortar and cleaning before its review board, so we'll help you reach it early. We do this work in Bethlehem, Emmaus and nearby cities too.