Brick & mortar
Brick repair & mortar
Cracks, crumbling mortar, loose or broken brick, and damaged sections, repaired with mortar custom-matched to your home.
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Brick finishes
Whitewash and custom brick staining
Whitewash and German smear change the look of brick for good, so it pays to understand them before you choose. We explain how each finish looks, how it wears, and what it takes to undo it.
- Free estimates
- Itemized quotes
- Text us photos
- Family-owned in west Houston
- CAI Greater Houston member
On the job
More from HPM jobs
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Before the finish was applied. -
Finished exterior. -
Interior brick with a light finish around an arched niche. -
Interior brick niche in progress. -
Interior brick finish. -
Light brick exterior.
What we fix
Want to change your brick home’s look?
Remodel your home with whitewash
A whitewash lightens and softens brick while keeping its texture showing through.
Give us a call: (281) 915-8605Free estimate. Or send photos with the form.
German smear
Mortar smeared over the brick for an old-world, hand-finished look, as light or as heavy as you like.
Give us a call: (281) 915-8605Free estimate. Or send photos with the form.
Slurry finishes
A thin masonry slurry for a more even, modern finish over the brick.
Give us a call: (281) 915-8605Free estimate. Or send photos with the form.
Change the base color first
Want a different starting color? See brick staining to set the color before the finish.
Give us a call: (281) 915-8605Free estimate. Or send photos with the form.
Signs
Why people choose a finish
- Updating dated or mismatched brick
- Blending brick after an addition or repair
- Softening dark or high-contrast brick
- An aged, old-world look on newer brick
Assessment first
What we check first
- The condition of the brick and mortar, since damage should be repaired before any finish
- How porous the brick is
- Existing sealers or paint that affect how a finish bonds
- Interior or exterior, and how much wall area is involved
Photos help us give you a better first answer, but the cause isn’t always visible in a photo. When it matters, we look in person before quoting.
The work
The finishes
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Whitewash
A thin, paint-like coat brushed onto the brick. The brick’s color and texture still show through, softened and lightened.
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German smear
A wet mortar wash spread over the brick and partly wiped back. It gives a textured, old-world look with some brick showing through. Once it cures, it’s essentially permanent.
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Custom brick staining
Stain can shift the color of individual bricks. It’s how we blend replacement brick into an existing wall.
Questions
Frequently asked
What’s the difference between whitewash and German smear?
Whitewash is a thin coat that lets the brick show through. German smear is a mortar wash that’s partly wiped back, so it’s thicker and more textured, with more of the brick covered.
Can it be removed later?
Whitewash can sometimes be lightened or partly removed, with effort. German smear is essentially permanent once it cures, so choose it only if you’re sure you want the look.
Can interior brick be finished too?
Yes. Interior brick walls and features can take these finishes.
Do I need to repair the brick first?
Yes. Cracks, loose brick, and failing mortar should be repaired before any finish goes on, or they’ll show through and keep deteriorating.
Related
Related services
Pavers, travertine & flagstone
Pavers, travertine & flagstone
Paver repair and releveling, plus brick and stone patios, porches, walkways, steps, and stone veneer.
See how we handle it
Chimneys
Chimney leak repair
Leak diagnosis, tuckpointing, crowns, caps, flashing resealed with NP-1, pressure washing, and water-repellent treatment.
See how we handle it
Free estimate
Send the details. We’ll take it from there.
Your name, address, phone, email, and a photo if you have one. We review it and reach out the way you prefer.