Sometimes when homeowners have a house that is constructed of old brick, they feel inclined to paint it. Brick is difficult to paint because the surface is so porous. This doesn’t mean that it is out of the question though. There are some important things to consider when painting the exterior brick on your house. L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc. is here to talk about the steps that must be taken to successfully paint your exterior brick.

Painted Brick is Permanent; It Cannot Be Reverted

When you decide to paint the exterior brick on your house, you must know first that the process is not one you can reverse if you don’t like it. If the brick on the exterior of your home is damaged for some reason, there are several things that can be done to restore it to its original beauty. You should always explore all of your options before you paint since you can never go back.

Can You Paint Directly Over Brick?

Before you start painting your brick, the surface needs to be properly prepared or your paint will not be durable. Cleaning your brick thoroughly is key in successfully painting it. Power washing it is the best way to achieve the level of cleanliness that is required. This will remove the dirt and grime from the porous surface. If your brick isn’t sealed you need to allow it to dry for 3-4 days. Brick absorbs and holds moisture much longer than other surfaces.  Also, if there are large gaps in the joints, they need to be repaired prior to painting. This will allow the paint to evenly cover the surface and keep moisture from causing problems further down the road.

Is it Worth Sealing Painted Brick?

You need to know if your brick has been sealed or not. If you spray water on it and it beads up, you most likely have sealed brick. If this is the case, you need to consider putting an additional primer on it before painting. For those that are considering not using a primer, do a patch test to make sure the paint adheres to the surface. When using a primer, make sure you cover the entire surface extremely well to seal the brick from potential moisture damage.

Use High Quality Paint When Painting Brick

To avoid any chipping and peeling paint, it is important that you use a high quality vinyl paint. For those that are using a primer, it needs to be a masonry primer. When you use a primer, you will find that you don’t have to use as much paint to get the surface completely covered. Primer will guard the surface against unnecessary absorption.

Interior & Exterior Painting & More in Amagansett, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Hampton Bays, Montauk, North Haven, North Sea, Noyack, Shelter Island, Sag Harbor, Shinnecock Hills, Southampton, Springs, Water Mill, Westhampton & Westhampton Beach, New York

Although painting your exterior brick is not usually recommended, it can end up beautiful when it is done properly. Because of the several complexities of painting brick, unless you are experienced, hiring a professional painting company like L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc. will yield the best results. We will help you achieve the look you are hoping for when painting your exterior brick. Call us today!