Property and Wall Condition
This section records the confirmed condition of the wall as assessed before the project begins. Every contractor who visits must be shown these facts. Do not allow a contractor to upsell work beyond this scope unless new structural damage is independently confirmed.
Structure
Sound and stable. Firm foundation. No sagging, no cracking, no structural failure anywhere along the wall. Wall stands level.
Capstone (Coping)
Solid and level throughout the full perimeter. No water entry from the top of the wall. No repairs needed here.
Mortar Joints
Partial failure confirmed. Some joints are cracked, broken, or loose. Repointing is required. Not a structural failure — a surface maintenance issue.
Brick Surface
Uniform weathering erosion and spalling across all weather-exposed faces. Slight white efflorescence deposits present. Surface material deteriorating — brick body beneath is intact.
Cavity Brick Holes
A small number of holes present where the brick face has broken through to the internal cavity. Exact count to be confirmed on site. Wall structure is not compromised.
Vegetation
Bushes grow near some wall sections. These walls are more exposed in early spring before foliage grows. Best access for inspection and filling work is April. Treatment work is June.
This is a surface restoration project only. Any contractor who proposes demolition, full render, cement coating, or structural intervention beyond selective brick replacement should be questioned carefully. The wall does not require it.
Complete Scope of Work
This is the full sequence of all work to be performed. Every stage must be completed in order. No stage replaces the one before it. This sequence is non-negotiable and must be written into the contract.
| Stage | Work | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Repoint all failing mortar joints — lime mortar throughout | April–May 2027 | Use hydraulic lime mortar only. No high Portland cement. |
| Stage 2 | Fill cavity brick holes — lime mortar with backing material | April–May 2027 | Foam backer rod or wire mesh backing first. Fill in thin layers. |
| Stage 3 | Cure period — no surface treatment during this time | May–June 2027 | Minimum 7–10 days. Lime mortar needs slow moist cure. |
| Stage 4 | Efflorescence removal — mild acid wash, full wall | Late May–June 2027 | Dilute white vinegar or citric acid. Rinse well. Allow to dry fully. |
| Stage 5 | Penetrating consolidant — full wall surface | June 2027 | Silane or ethyl silicate only. Two coats wet-on-wet. Vapor permeable. |
| Stage 6 | Silane-siloxane breathable water repellent — full wall | June 2027 | Two coats wet-on-wet. Apply in cool overcast conditions only. |
The wall must breathe at all times. Every product applied — mortar, consolidant, repellent — must be more permeable than the brick itself. Any product that seals moisture inside the wall will cause faster and deeper damage than doing nothing at all.
Optional Extension — House Exterior Surface
The house brick exterior (approximately 2,000 sq ft additional) may be included in the same contract as a separate line item. The work sequence is identical. The contractor should price the wall (3,000 sq ft) and the house (2,000 sq ft) separately so we can decide independently on each.
Materials — What Is Required and What Is Forbidden
We must be able to verify every product before work begins. The contractor must submit product data sheets with their bid. We check two things on every product data sheet: the word penetrating and the words vapor permeable or breathable.
| Material | Required Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Repointing Mortar | Hydraulic lime + sharp sand (1:2.5 ratio). No high Portland cement. | Cement mortar is harder than old brick. It transfers stress into the brick face and causes spalling to worsen. |
| Hole Fill Mortar | Same lime mortar mix as repointing. Applied in layers max 10mm each. | Thick single application shrinks and cracks. Layers bond correctly. |
| Consolidant | Silane-based or ethyl silicate penetrating consolidant. Vapor permeable. No film-forming products. | Re-bonds deteriorating surface from within without trapping moisture. |
| Water Repellent | Silane-siloxane breathable repellent. Penetrating. Vapor permeable. Not a sealer or coating. | Sheds liquid water while allowing internal moisture to escape as vapor. |
Acrylic sealers of any kind. Cement render. Film-forming waterproof coatings. Elastomeric coatings. Any product described as a "waterproof barrier" rather than a "water repellent." These products trap moisture and accelerate wall failure.
Estimated Material Quantities
| Material | 3,000 sq ft wall | 5,000 sq ft total |
|---|---|---|
| Repointing mortar | 100–120 cubic feet mixed | 165–200 cubic feet mixed |
| Consolidant (2 coats) | 30–40 gallons | 50–67 gallons |
| Silane-siloxane repellent (2 coats) | 40–60 gallons | 67–100 gallons |
Note: These are planning estimates only. Actual consumption depends on brick porosity. Require contractor to perform a test area absorption check before ordering full materials.
Timing and Climate — Rome, NY (ZIP 13440)
Rome, Oneida County has a hard continental winter climate. Timing of all work stages is determined by temperature and moisture conditions, not by convenience. These are non-negotiable constraints.
| Period | Condition | Action |
|---|---|---|
| April 2027 | Past last frost. Wall drying from spring moisture. Vegetation not yet full — good access to bush-adjacent walls. | Mortar repointing and hole filling only. |
| May 2027 | Cure period. Wall still absorbing spring moisture in early May. | No treatment. Allow lime mortar to cure slowly. |
| Late May – June 2027 | Wall dried. Temperatures stable above 10°C day and night. No frost risk. Not yet peak summer heat. | Efflorescence removal, consolidant, repellent. Primary treatment window. |
| September 2027 | Backup window if June is missed. Dry, stable, cooler. Sufficient cure time before October frost. | Full treatment sequence if not completed in June. |
| October onward | Frost risk begins. Lime mortar cure destroyed by freezing. Repellent adhesion compromised. | No treatment work. Season closed. |
No mortar work below 5°C. No consolidant or repellent application in direct sun, rain, or below 10°C. No repellent if rain is forecast within 48 hours. Contractor is responsible for monitoring conditions. If conditions are wrong, work stops.
Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for a specific type of contractor. Not the largest company. Not the lowest bidder. The right person for this work.
Size: One person operating alone, or with one helper. Small independent operation.
Experience: Demonstrated masonry competence — specifically brick and mortar work. References required.
Background: New arrival immigrant building a business and reputation. Communities in Utica-Rome area are a strong source. Many bring lime and hand-craft masonry traditions from Eastern Europe, South Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and West Africa.
Tools: Contractor supplies all their own tools and equipment. We supply nothing.
Materials: Contractor sources and supplies all materials. We verify product specifications before work begins.
Legal: Valid New York State contractor license. General liability insurance. Workers' compensation if using a helper. No exceptions.
What We Must Verify Before Issuing Contract
- NYS contractor license — verify on dol.ny.gov public database. Confirm it covers masonry work and is not expired.
- General liability insurance certificate — request certificate directly from their insurer. Check expiry date. Minimum coverage level to be decided by us.
- Workers' compensation — required if contractor brings any helper, even occasional. Must be shown before first day of work.
- References — minimum two prior masonry jobs. Contact those references. Ask specifically about quality of mortar work and whether product specifications were followed.
- Product data sheets — submitted with the bid. We verify vapor permeability of every product before accepting the bid.
- Site visit completed — contractor must visit site before submitting bid. We must offer this appointment in our advertisement.
Key Question to Ask Every Contractor
Ask this before anything else: "What mortar mix do you use for repointing a pre-1980 brick wall?"
The correct answer involves lime mortar — hydraulic lime and sand. If a contractor immediately says Portland cement or standard premix mortar without mentioning lime, they do not understand this type of work. Do not proceed with them regardless of price.
Where and How to Advertise
We use two tracks simultaneously: broad digital reach and targeted community outreach. Both must be active. The targeted track is more likely to find the right person.
Track One — Targeted Community Outreach (Utica-Rome Area)
| Channel | Why | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees | Serves Utica-Rome immigrant community directly. Employment and business networks. | Visit or contact mvrcr.org. Ask if they can circulate a project notice to their contractor/tradesperson network. |
| Local masonry supply yards | Active small contractors buy materials here. Yard managers know who is working locally. | Visit in person. Ask the manager. Post a physical notice on their board. |
| Local hardware stores — Rome and Utica | Same principle. Physical notice board reaches tradespeople who do not use digital platforms. | Post a one-page summary with our webpage address for full specifications. |
| Utica Monday Nite and community centers | Broad immigrant community connections across multiple nationalities. | Inquire about posting or circulating notice. |
Track Two — Digital Platforms
| Platform | URL | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nextdoor | nextdoor.com | Post in Rome NY neighborhood. Free. Community-verified. Strong for local trades. |
| BuildZoom | buildzoom.com | License-verified contractor platform. Free to post. Filter by Oneida County. |
| Craigslist | utica.craigslist.org — Skilled Trades | Free. Widely used by independent tradespeople. We verify credentials ourselves. |
| Mason Contractors Association | masoncontractors.org | Use to identify and invite specific contractors directly. Not a posting platform. |
Our Advertisement Text (Short Version for Posting)
Seeking licensed independent masonry contractor to submit itemized bid for exterior brick wall surface restoration. Work involves mortar repointing, efflorescence removal, penetrating consolidant application, and breathable silane-siloxane water repellent treatment. Vapor-permeable lime-compatible products required throughout. Wall is structurally sound — surface and mortar restoration only. Location: Rome, NY 13440. Wall surface approximately 3,000 sq ft. House exterior optional additional 2,000 sq ft. Licensed and insured contractors only. 2027 completion — no rush. Full project specifications and contract terms at [INSERT WEBPAGE URL]. Site visit by appointment before bid submission. Contact: [INSERT YOUR CONTACT].
Our Action Timeline — What We Do and When
Master Checklist — Nothing Gets Missed
Before Advertising
- All three webpages built and published
- Webpage URL confirmed and working
- Contact method decided and tested
- Minimum insurance coverage level decided
During Advertising
- Posted on Nextdoor — Rome NY
- Posted on BuildZoom — Oneida County
- Posted on Craigslist — Utica/Rome Skilled Trades
- Notice delivered to Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees
- Notice posted at local masonry supply yard(s)
- Notice posted at local hardware stores
For Each Contractor Inquiry
- Send full webpage URL for specifications
- Offer site visit appointment
- Request license number for verification
- Verify license on dol.ny.gov before going further
Before Accepting Any Bid
- Bid is fully itemized — labor and materials separated
- All products named with manufacturer specified
- Product data sheets submitted
- Every product confirmed as vapor permeable and penetrating
- No acrylic, cement render, or film-forming products in the bid
- License verified — current and covering masonry
- Insurance certificate received and expiry checked
- Workers' compensation confirmed if helper is used
- Minimum two references contacted
- Contractor has completed site visit
Before Work Begins
- Contract signed by both parties
- First payment (30%) issued
- Contractor has confirmed materials are sourced and on hand
- Weather forecast checked — appropriate conditions confirmed
- Site access confirmed and clear
During and After Work
- Mortar work inspected before cure period payment issued
- Product containers retained for verification — match what was specified
- Final inspection completed before final payment issued
- Contractor warranty terms confirmed in writing
- All product data sheets filed for future maintenance reference
Silane-siloxane repellent requires reapplication every 10–12 years. Record the completion date of this project and schedule the next treatment accordingly. File all product names and data sheets so the correct products can be sourced again.