Masonry for Naval Square’s brick townhomes covers facade brick repair, repointing of mortar joints, step and stoop work, and patio or wall projects in the development’s shared and private outdoor spaces. Naval Square is newer than most Center City neighborhoods, but its brick still moves, weathers, and develops the same issues — open joints, water intrusion, settling steps — that any masonry does. Catching them early on a younger building keeps small repairs from becoming large ones.

Masonry Needs in a Newer Townhome Community

Naval Square, the gated community on the former Naval Home grounds near Grays Ferry Avenue and Bainbridge, is built mostly of brick townhomes from the 2000s. Newer construction brings its own masonry work:

• Repointing where mortar joints have started to open or were finished thin
• Facade brick repair for cracked, spalled, or loose units
• Step and entry repair on stoops that have settled or cracked
• Patios and walkways in private rear yards and courtyards
• Garden and retaining walls for landscaped outdoor spaces

Why Even Newer Brick Needs Attention

Brick from twenty years ago still faces Philadelphia’s freeze-thaw cycle. The common issues on Naval Square homes:

1. Mortar joints opening up — sometimes from settling, sometimes from thin original tooling — letting water behind the brick.
2. Spalling at corners and sills where water collects and freezes.
3. Cracking around windows and lintels as the building settles.
4. Settling steps and stoops when the base beneath them shifts.

The fix is the same disciplined work we bring to historic homes: matched brick, properly mixed mortar, and joints packed and tooled to seal out water. Our repointing and brickwork handle the facade, while step and entry repairs keep the front of the home safe and solid.

Outdoor Living Spaces

Naval Square’s private yards and courtyards are well suited to masonry improvements. A new patio or walkway turns a plain yard into usable space, a retaining wall levels a sloped lot, and stamped concrete gives a brick or stone look with low upkeep. We build these to match the community’s clean, finished look.

Signs Your Townhome Needs Masonry Work

• Gaps or crumbling in the mortar joints
• Cracked, loose, or flaking facade brick
• Cracks stepping through the brick near windows
• Settled, cracked, or wobbly front steps
• Water staining inside near an exterior wall

What It Costs and How We Quote

Pricing depends on how much repointing or brick replacement is needed, whether step or patio work is involved, and access within the community. Small repairs are modest; larger facade or outdoor projects scale up. We never quote sight unseen — every job starts with a free on-site estimate, and we’re licensed and insured. We work clean and respect community rules and shared spaces.

A Philadelphia Masonry Family Since 1974

Natalini & Son has worked Philadelphia brick for 50-plus years — third generation, every crew led by a family member, 6,000-plus projects across Center City and the surrounding neighborhoods. See our work in the gallery, read more about us, or view our Naval Square brickwork page.

Frequently Asked Questions

My townhome is only about 20 years old — why does it need masonry work?

Even newer brick faces Philadelphia’s freeze-thaw cycle and settling. Mortar joints open, corners and sills spall, and steps settle over time. Catching it early on a younger home keeps small repairs from becoming large ones.

Can you do repointing on newer brick?

Yes. We match the mortar color and strength and tool the joints to seal out water. Newer construction sometimes has thin or opening joints that benefit from repointing before water gets behind the brick.

Do you build patios and walls inside a community like Naval Square?

Yes. We build patios, walkways, and retaining walls in private yards and courtyards, working clean and respecting community rules and shared spaces. Stamped concrete is a popular low-maintenance option.

How do I get a price for my townhome?

Every job starts with a free on-site estimate. We look at the scope, access, and what actually needs doing, then give you an honest number — no pressure to do more than necessary.