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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.
Spalling Brick
Constant wet-dry cycles and freezing moisture cause historic brick faces to spall, flake, and deteriorate over time.
Settled Steps & Planters
Saturated, shifting ground beneath historic properties frequently causes masonry steps, stoops, and garden planters to sink and misalign.
Leaning Chimneys
Water infiltration and structural shifting compromise structural stability, often resulting in dangerous leaning chimneys that require repointing or rebuilding.
Efflorescence
Moisture migrating through masonry brings dissolved salts to the surface, leaving behind stubborn white salt staining.
How a Restoration Project Works
01
Site Visit & Assessment
We come out to your property, take lots of pictures & notes
02
Material Matching
We source stone based on your project's needs
03
Written Quote
We write a quote and answer all questions
04
The Work
We work at your property making sure your dreams come true
05
Before & After Pictures
We take lots of before & after pictures, making this project something to look back on and admire
Recent Historic Work
Before
After
1925 Beacon Hill | Scratch Brick Restoration
South & Southeast Seattle
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Beacon Hill
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Columbia City
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Rainier Beach
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Rainier Valley
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Seward Park
Central Seattle
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Capitol Hill
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Central District
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East Lake
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Leschi
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Madrona
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Madison Park
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Montlake
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South Lake Union
Serving Seattle's Historic
Neighbourhoods
North Seattle & Northeast
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Ballard
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Green Lake
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Laurelhurst
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Phinney Ridge
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Ravenna
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University District
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Wallingford
Northwest & North-Central
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Belltown
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Magnolia
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Queen Anne
South End & Suburbs
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Burien
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Lakewood
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West Seattle
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White Center
