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, German smear, and brick finish work
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
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.
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.
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.
Free estimate
Send the details. We’ll take it from there.
Your name, a phone or email, and a photo if you have one. We review it and reach out the way you prefer.
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Related
Related services
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Pavers & custom masonry
Paver repair and releveling, plus brick and stone patios, porches, walkways, steps, and stone veneer.
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Chimneys
Chimney leak repair
Leak diagnosis, tuckpointing, crowns, caps, flashing resealing, cleaning, and water-repellent treatment.
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