Color comes from the sand
Most mortar color comes from sand, not cement. Old Baltimore mortar used local sand. It runs warm tan, soft gray, at times pink. Match the sand and you are most of the way home.
We test dry samples in daylight. Wet mortar always looks dark. The match is judged dry.
New joints look dark for a while
Fresh mortar dries dark. Then it fades over weeks as it dries and weathers. A joint that looks too dark on day two often blends by week six. We tell each client this up front. No need to fret.
On old homes, blend beats new
In old districts the aim is a quiet fix. New joints should read as old wall. We use lime mixes in the right tone. We shape joints to match the old ones. The best work is what you cannot spot from the walk.
Questions about your brick? Call (301) 679-9193 or send the form. Estimates are free.