Don’t get me wrong, brick exterior homes are awesome! Brick houses are extremely sturdy and have a timeless look that is never really out of style, but they can be EXPENSIVE to maintain!
Aside from the cost of repairing cracks and chipping, brick homes start to look weathered very easily which will require a complete refinish or paint job to keep the brick looking presentable.
One option that is becoming increasingly popular is the German Smear, a type of mortar finish that is made to mimic the look of old German cottages and houses.
The mortar finish gives the brick a distressed and rustic look while also adding a layer of protection from exterior elements like wind and direct sunlight.
However, when it comes to the amount of time a German smear lasts, it is important to know that it is permanent. There is no changing your mind in a couple years and taking it down.
But, if done correctly, a German smear looks awesome and will be something you can happily enjoy for years to come.
The process is relatively inexpensive and is totally something that most DIY’ers can tackle themselves.
Throughout the rest of this post, we will discuss the major do’s and don’ts of applying a German Smear and how to keep it looking its best. Let’s get started!
The Cost
The part everybody wants to know!
Compared to the cost of painting or refinishing your brick exterior, applying a German smear is relatively inexpensive. A pre-mixed mortar usually comes in a 80 lb bag for around $15 and that will cover roughly 350 square feet of brick siding depending on how thickly you apply.
To determine the surface area square footage of your walls, measure the height and width of each wall then, multiply height by width to get that side’s surface area in square feet.
Here’s the complete list of what you will need
| Pre-Mixed Mortar X 3 (1,000 SF) | $45 |
| 5 Gallon Bucket X 2 | $10 |
| Grout Trowel (Optional) | $6 |
| Rubber Gloves (Recommended) | $10 |
| Grout Sponge | $10 |
| Heavy Duty Taping Trowel | $7 |
| Wire Brush | $4 |
| Heavy Duty Drill (Optional) | $75 |
| Concrete Paddle Bit (Optional) | $20 |
| Total | $187 |
This is by no means a set in stone list and you may even be able to get materials cheaper than this, but you can see if you’re willing to put in some of your own time and elbow grease, this can be a pretty cost effective project.
If you do decide to bring in the experts on this one and hire it out, the average cost can be anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the size of your house and masonry rates in your area.
Note: Keep in mind German smear and most types of mortar based finishes can only be applied to bare brick. The bond will not properly form on painted brick. So, if you have painted brick, make sure to strip it before beginning this process.
The Application
Prep The Brick Surface
Start by clearing all dirt and grime that might be on the brick surface by spraying with a garden hose and brushing with a stiff bristle brush.
Don’t worry about small stains or discolorations that won’t come off. They will be covered by the mortar.
Mix The Mortar
In one of the five gallon buckets, begin mixing the dry mortar mix with water. Only use about a quarter of a bag at a time as the bucket will get super heavy if you fill it too full.
Keep the ratio of water to mortar mix at about 70/30.
Use the concrete paddle bit and drill to mix the solution for about 30-45 seconds, until the consistency feels like peanut butter.
Fill up the second bucket with clean water and put the grout sponge in the water bucket.
Apply The Solution
Here’s where the rubber meets the road! (So to speak)
You will definitely want to put on your rubber gloves for this part. This stuff hurts to get off your skin if it dries!
Starting with about a 5 square foot section at a time, start hosing down the brick surface to get it wet. The mortar solution has to be applied to WET brick!
Dip the grout sponge into the mortar solution and start smearing it onto the brick from top to bottom.
Spread the solution as thin as you would like to achieve the desired texture. You can also use the trowel or wire brush to scrape away mortar in areas where you want more exposed brick to show through.
Rinse the sponge in the clean water every 5 to 10 minutes and repeat the process around the remainder of the surface area you want to cover.
Keep in mind the solution takes about 25-45 minutes to dry depending on temperature and humidity so, if you make a mistake or want to make an adjustment, make sure to do it as quickly as possible before the mix dries or re-wet the area with the hose to keep it damp.
Note: Don’t worry if the mix appears darker than desired while you’re applying it. The mortar appears MUCH darker when it is wet than it will when it is set and dried.
After you have covered, the entire brick area, just allow the solution to dry and you’re done!
Here is a helpful video displaying the whole process. She uses a slightly different process but still covers all the main points discussed above.
Final Thoughts
You’re home should now have the awesome rustic look that the German smear provides. In an effort to keep it looking amazing, make sure to regularly spray your brick surface with a hose to remove any built up dirt.
If you decide to use a brick cleaning product, don’t worry about it eroding away your German smear. It’s on there for good!
Because the German smear is a permanent solution, there is not much you can do to change the color or look of your brick once it is applied.
However, there is an increasingly wide range of color tint options available for the mortar mix itself, so just make sure to take your time when picking the color.
Hopefully you found this article useful and helps make the decision process a little easier when deciding if a German smear is right for you!
Happy DIY’ing!
For more helpful DIY and home project tips, make sure to check out our full list of articles.