In the third quarter, sales increased to 11%, our fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit top line growth.
This was against a strong 16% comp from last year.
Operating margin for the quarter was 17.5% as we executed our planned transition to a more normalized level of SG&A expense to support our brands, innovation and new products.
Sales increased 15% excluding currency, led by exceptional growth in North America and international faucets and showers and our spa business.
We plan to invest approximately $100 million in this project over the next three years.
And our Decorative Architectural segment sales grew 4% against a robust 19% comp from the third quarter of 2020.
Propane had an exceptional growth of over 45% in the quarter, helping to offset moderating demand in DIY paint.
DIY paint declined mid single-digits against a tremendous comp of over 25% in the third quarter of 2020.
When compared to our third quarter 2019 sales, our DIY paint sales were up over 20%, a clear indication of a reengaged homeowner and strong home improvement fundamentals.
We continued our share buyback activity during the quarter by repurchasing 2.2 million shares for $128 million.
In addition, we anticipate deploying approximately $150 million in the fourth quarter, bringing our total share repurchases to over $1 billion for the year.
Because of this outstanding execution and continued strong demand for our products, we are maintaining the midpoint of our previous guide and expect to achieve earnings -- full-year earnings per share in the range of $3.67 to $3.73.
Sales increased to 11% against an impressive 16% comp in the third quarter of last year.
Net acquisitions contributed 2% growth and currency had a minimal impact.
In local currency, North American sales increased 9% or 6% excluding acquisitions.
In local currency, international sales increased a robust 15% or 18% excluding acquisitions and divestitures against the healthy 9% comp.
Gross margin of 34.2% is impacted by higher commodity and logistics cost in the quarter.
SG&A as a percentage of sales was 16.7%.
Operating profit in the third quarter was $385 million, with an operating margin of 17.5%, our earnings per share was $0.99.
Plumbing growth continued to be strong with sales up 16% against the 13% comp in the third quarter of last year.
Net acquisitions contributed 2% to its growth and currency contributed another 1%.
North American sales increased 16% or 10%, excluding acquisitions.
International plumbing sales increased 15% in local currency or 18%, excluding net acquisitions.
Segment operating profit in the third quarter was $248 million and operating margin was 18.7%.
For full-year 2021, we continue to expect Plumbing segment sales growth to be in 22% to 24% and operating margins of approximately 18.5%.
Decorative Architectural sales increased 4% for the third quarter and 3% excluding acquisitions.
Our DIY paint business declined mid single-digits in the quarter against more than 25% comp in the third quarter of last year.
When comparing to Q3 2019, our third quarter DIY sales are up over 20%.
Our propane business delivered exceptional growth of more than 45% in the quarter, as paint contractors are applying top rated Behr paint to more commercial and residential projects.
When comparing to Q3 2019, our third quarter PRO sales are up over 35%.
Segment operating margin in the third quarter was 19% and operating profit was $166 million.
For full-year 2021, we continue to expect Decorative Architectural sales growth will be in the range of 2% to 5%, and operating margin to be approximately 19%.
Our balance sheet is strong with net debt-to-EBITDA at 1.3 times.
We ended the quarter with approximately $1.9 billion of balance sheet liquidity, which includes full availability of our $1 billion revolver.
Working capital as a percent of sales, including our recent acquisitions, was 17%.
Finally, we repurchased more than 15.2 million shares in 2021 for $878 [Phonetic] million.
This is approximately 6% of our outstanding share count at the beginning of the year.
We expect to deploy approximately $150 million for share repurchases or acquisitions in the fourth quarter as we continue to aggressively return capital to shareholders.
We continue to anticipate overall sales growth of 14% to $16, and operating margin of approximately 17.5%.
Lastly, we are maintaining our 2021 earnings per share estimate midpoint, but narrowing the range to $3.67 to $3.73 growth at the midpoint of the range.
This assumes the 252 million average diluted share count for the year.
When you compare our third quarter performance to Q3 2019, revenue is 28% higher, operating profit is 29% higher, operating margin is 10 basis points higher and adjusted earnings per share is an outstanding 62% higher.

Summary:
Because of this outstanding execution and continued strong demand for our products, we are maintaining the midpoint of our previous guide and expect to achieve earnings -- full-year earnings per share in the range of $3.67 to $3.73.
Sales increased to 11% against an impressive 16% comp in the third quarter of last year.
Operating profit in the third quarter was $385 million, with an operating margin of 17.5%, our earnings per share was $0.99.
Lastly, we are maintaining our 2021 earnings per share estimate midpoint, but narrowing the range to $3.67 to $3.73 growth at the midpoint of the range.