Products We Trust & Use
These are the exact products our team uses on NYC buildings every day. We only recommend what we've tested ourselves.
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Sealants & Caulks
When we're sealing joints on a facade or around windows, these are the products we reach for every time.

SIKA
Sikaflex-1a Polyurethane Sealant
We use this on almost every facade job. When joints expand and contract with temperature changes, most sealants crack. This one moves with the building. If you only buy one sealant, make it this one.
Best for: Facade joints, window perimeters, parapet repairs

SIKA
Sikaflex Construction Sealant
When you need to seal around window frames or wall penetrations and the client wants to paint over it, this is what we use. It stays flexible, bonds to everything, and takes paint well after curing.
Best for: Window frames, wall penetrations, general repairs

SIKA
Sikaflex Concrete Fix
For cracks in concrete sidewalks, stoops, and facade surfaces, we apply this directly with a caulk gun. It fills and seals in one pass without dripping on vertical surfaces. Saves time on small repairs.
Best for: Concrete cracks, sidewalks, stoops
Waterproofing
Water is the number one enemy of NYC buildings. These are the membranes, sealers, and coatings we specify and install to keep it out.

LastiSeal
LastiSeal Brick & Masonry Sealer
If your brick facade is absorbing water and you want to stop it without changing how it looks, this is what we recommend. It penetrates deep into the masonry and repels water for up to 15 years. We've used it on buildings where the owner didn't want any visible coating.
Best for: Brick facades, concrete walls, preventive maintenance

MasonryDefender
MasonryDefender Penetrating Sealer
We recommend this for concrete facades, retaining walls, and driveways that need water protection without a visible film. It bonds at the molecular level so there's no peeling or flaking over time.
Best for: Concrete facades, driveways, retaining walls
GCP Applied Technologies
GCP Applied Technologies
Perm-A-Barrier VPS 30
This is our standard spec on every facade project where brick or parapets are being replaced. It goes behind the new masonry as an air and water barrier. Important: never use Bituthene on above-grade facade work. Perm-A-Barrier is what should be specified.
Best for: Facade waterproofing, brick replacement, parapet rebuilds
SIKA
SIKA
Sikalastic 123
When we need to waterproof a roof, balcony, or plaza deck, we spec Sikalastic 123. It goes on as a liquid and cures into a seamless membrane with no seams to fail. Good for areas with foot traffic where traditional membranes get damaged.
Best for: Roof waterproofing, balcony decks, plaza decks
GCP Applied Technologies
GCP Applied Technologies
Bituthene 3000
This is strictly for below-grade and underground waterproofing. Foundation walls, elevator pits, below-grade slabs. We see contractors mistakenly using Bituthene on facades. Don't. It's not vapor permeable enough for above-grade work. Use Perm-A-Barrier VPS 30 for facades instead.
Best for: Foundation walls, elevator pits, below-grade waterproofing

Liquid Rubber
Liquid Rubber Foundation Sealant
For basement water issues and foundation leaks, we recommend this as a DIY-friendly option. Building owners can brush or roll it directly onto foundation walls. It stays flexible after curing so it won't crack when the foundation shifts.
Best for: Basements, foundations, below-grade walls
Roof & Concrete Repair
When a roof is leaking or concrete is cracking, these are the products we use for fast, reliable repairs.
Henry
Henry
Henry 208 Wet Patch Roof Cement
When a building super calls us about a roof leak during a rainstorm, this is what we tell them to grab. You can apply it in wet conditions right over the leak. We keep this on hand for every roof job because emergencies happen.
Best for: Emergency leak repair, flashings, skylights

Quikrete
Quikrete Concrete Repair
For small cracks in stoops, sidewalks, and exterior concrete, this gets the job done without mixing anything. We recommend it to building owners who want to fix minor cracks before they become DOB violations.
Best for: Small cracks, stoops, exterior concrete
Masonry & Pointing
Repointing is the most common facade repair in NYC. These are the mortars, rods, and cleaners we use on every pointing job.

SPEC MIX
SPEC MIX Type N Mortar
When we spec mortar for repointing, it's Type N SPEC MIX. The pre-blended formula means every batch comes out the same color and strength. On a 20-story facade where you need consistency across thousands of joints, that matters.
Best for: Brick repointing, facade restoration, masonry joints
Quikrete
Quikrete
Quikrete Mason Mix Type S
We use Type S when the wall is load-bearing or below grade and needs higher compressive strength. If your engineer specs Type S instead of Type N, this is a reliable option that's easy to find at any supply house.
Best for: Structural masonry, load-bearing walls, below-grade
SIKA
SIKA
Sika MonoTop 612 Repair Mortar
When we need to patch spalled concrete on a facade or overhead soffit, this is what we use. It stays in place on vertical and overhead surfaces without sagging. One component, so no mixing ratios to worry about on site.
Best for: Concrete spall repair, facade patching, overhead repairs
Various
Various
Closed-Cell Backer Rod
Before applying any sealant to a joint, we always install backer rod first. It controls the depth of the sealant and creates the right geometry so the seal lasts. Skipping this step is one of the most common mistakes we see on failed caulk jobs.
Best for: Joint preparation before caulking, expansion joints, control joints
PROSOCO
PROSOCO
Prosoco Sure Klean Custom Masonry Cleaner
After repointing, mortar smears and efflorescence can make a facade look worse than before. We use this to clean up after every pointing job. It removes stains without damaging the brick or stone underneath.
Best for: Post-repointing cleanup, efflorescence removal, brick cleaning
Safety Equipment
You can't step on a NYC construction site without these. Required by OSHA and DOB for every inspection and jobsite visit.
3M
3M
3M DBI-SALA Delta Full Body Harness
Every time we do a close-up facade inspection or any work above 6 feet, this harness goes on. OSHA requires it, and we've trusted this model on hundreds of drops. Worth the investment for anyone doing regular roof or facade work.
Best for: Facade inspections, roof work, FISP compliance
MSA
MSA
MSA V-Gard Hard Hat
The standard hard hat we wear on every site visit. If you're a building owner walking your own jobsite, you need one of these. DOB will shut down a site if anyone is on it without head protection.
Best for: Site visits, inspections, construction
Need Help Choosing?
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