Old brick deserves old-school care.
Restoration of historic and older brick buildings, with soft lime-based mortars, gentle cleaning and careful brick replacement that keeps the character of the building.
- Mortar: Lime-rich mortars matched to the original
- Brick: Salvaged or carefully matched replacement brick
- Cleaning: The gentlest effective method
What it is, and why it matters.
Older brick is often softer and more porous than modern brick, and old mortar was usually lime-based and soft. Modern, hard cement mortar and aggressive cleaning damage historic masonry, speeding up the very decay owners want to stop.
We restore historic and older brick homes, storefronts and outbuildings in Nashville and across Middle Tennessee. We study the brick and mortar, match both carefully and use methods that preserve the building's character and structure.
Four things done right.
Study before touching
We examine the brick, mortar, bond and condition before choosing a method.
Soft mortar, matched
Lime-based mortar flexes with the wall and protects old brick.
Gentle cleaning
We avoid sandblasting and harsh acids, which remove the hard fired skin of old brick.
Careful replacement
Failed bricks are replaced with salvaged or matched units, set to preserve the wall's look.
From first call to historic brick restoration.
- 01
Document and test
We photograph, sample and test the mortar and brick to understand the building.
- 02
Plan the restoration
A plan lists the mortar, methods and replacement brick, with a written price.
- 03
Restore the masonry
Joints, bricks and details are repaired in sections.
- 04
Clean and protect
The work is cleaned gently and checked for drainage.
Historic Brick Restoration across Middle Tennessee.
We do this work in 28 cities, from Nashville and Franklin to Murfreesboro, Gallatin, Columbia and Dickson.
Historic Brick Restoration: common questions
Why not use modern mortar on old brick?
Modern Portland cement mortar is harder and less flexible than the old brick, so the brick takes the stress and spalls. A softer, lime-rich mortar protects the brick and lets the wall breathe.
Is sandblasting brick safe?
Not for most historic brick. Blasting removes the hardened outer skin, which leaves the soft interior open to water and frost damage.
How do I get a price for historic brick restoration?
Fill in the form or call or text 615-431-3789. We confirm what is involved and send a written price, and most projects start with a free visit.
Ready to talk about historic brick restoration?
A visit and a written price. A real person calls back, usually the same day.