Historic Masonry Restoration in Seattle
Brick and stone preservation for Seattle's older homes and buildings: matched mortar, salvaged brick, and repointing that keep the original look.
Seattle’s 1900s to 1940s brick and stone houses, storefronts, and apartment buildings were built to last, but repairing them takes a completely different skill set than working on modern construction. Older brick needs traditional, softer lime-based mortars and gentler techniques so the masonry can breathe without cracking or spalling over time. From single-family homes to commercial and mixed-use buildings, we take on projects of all sizes to restore and protect historic brickwork across Seattle.
What Historic Preservation Covers
Brick Restoration & Repointing
Brick restoration and repointing preserve original masonry by repairing damaged bricks and replacing old, crumbling mortar joints. Removing deteriorated mortar and carefully packing in fresh mortar seals out moisture, protects your building's structural integrity, and fully restores its original appearance.
Stone Repair & Resetting
In Seattle, historic stone masonry preservation focuses on stabilizing, pinning, and resetting original stone in place to protect the structure's character. When damaged stone must be replaced, local standards require sourcing geologically matched stone that replicates the original's natural grain and finish.
Chimney & Facade Rebuilds using Salvaged Brick
For chimney and façade rebuilds, historic preservation focuses on keeping the original look intact by matching authentic mortar, bonding patterns, and traditional techniques. Using salvaged brick protects the building's historical charm while preserving real, period-correct materials.
Matching Brick, Stone & Mortar
Historic brick is softer than modern Portland cement. If you use hard mortar on soft brick, moisture gets trapped, and the brick starts flaking away. That's why we use traditional lime mortar, it gives the wall room to breathe and flex naturally. We handle custom color and mortar matching to blend new joints seamlessly into old work, and we track down authentic salvaged brick and stone when exact matches are needed. Having worked extensively with clinker, Roman, and scratch brick, alongside regional materials like Wilkeson sandstone and Tenino stone, we know how to preserve historic masonry the right way.
Check Out Our Reviews!
"We've long needed work on the klinker brick chimney on our circa 1910 house. Basil gave us a very competitive quote and was out in short order to take care of the issue."
Jamee F., Google review, November 2021
"Our home is Roman brick and was built using pink grout. He was able to repair the loose bricks and match the grout perfectly."
Adele D., Google review, January 2024
"The crew repaired a stairway and small patio that was originally built in the 1940's. It was crumbling and falling apart. They repaired the
project and it looks fabulous!"
Patricia N., Google review, July 2024
Common Problems in Seattle's Older Homes
Washed-Out Mortar
Decades of heavy Pacific Northwest rain routinely wash out exterior mortar joints, weakening walls and letting moisture penetrate the structure.
Leaning Chimneys
Water infiltration and structural shifting compromise structural stability, often resulting in dangerous leaning chimneys that require repointing or rebuilding.
Spalling Brick
Constant wet-dry cycles and freezing moisture cause historic brick faces to spall, flake, and deteriorate over time.
Efflorescence
Moisture migrating through masonry brings dissolved salts to the surface, leaving behind stubborn white salt staining.
Settled Steps & Planters
Saturated, shifting ground beneath historic properties frequently causes masonry steps, stoops, and garden planters to sink and misalign.
How a Restoration Project Works
01
Site Visit & Assessment
First we have an in-person Consultation. We will walk through and assess your project and discuss exactly what you’re looking for.
02
Material Matching
Second, we source brick or stone based on your project's needs
03
Written Quote
Next a personalized design. We will thoughtfully craft a few personalized designs and estimates for you to bring your vision to life.
04
The Work
Fourth, our trained team will bring your vision to life using hand picked materials perfect for your project.
05
Before & After Pictures
We take lots of before & after pictures, making this project something to look back on and admire.
Historic Properties
Restoring history for homeowners and local businesses alike. Here’s how we bring aging residential and commercial buildings back to their prime.
Brought to life
1925 Beacon Hill | Scratch Brick Restoration
1910 First Hill | First Covenant Church | Tenino Stone Repair
