When Brick Replacement Is the Right Fix
Not every brick problem requires replacement. Surface spalling can sometimes be addressed with consolidants. But when brick has cracked through its full depth, fractured from freeze-thaw damage, or disintegrated from water exposure, replacement is the only correct solution.
The two most common triggers for brick replacement in NYC are lintel rust expansion — where a corroding steel lintel pushes surrounding bricks outward in the distinctive stair-step crack pattern — and fire damage, which vitrifies brick and makes it absorb far more water than undamaged surrounding brick.
Sourcing Replacement Brick in NYC
NYC pre-war buildings used brick produced when hundreds of regional brickyards were operating — in colors, textures, and hardness values difficult to replicate exactly. We source replacement brick from salvage yards, specialty masonry suppliers, and current manufacturers to find the closest match in color, texture, size, and compressive strength.
For landmark properties, we submit brick samples to LPC for approval before installation. An exact match is not always achievable — but a close match properly pointed with the correct mortar blends acceptably within a few years as the new brick weathers.
The Replacement Process
- Mark all bricks to be replaced — assessed by structural condition, not just appearance
- Remove damaged bricks carefully using chisels — not hammers — to protect surrounding brick
- Clean brick opening thoroughly; remove all loose mortar
- Install new brick with correct mortar mix — full bed and head joints, no gaps
- Tool joints to match existing joint profile
- Damp-cure for 72 hours minimum