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This post was most recently updated on July 22nd, 2022
What is the Best Sealer for Brick Walls Update
Concrete Sealer Review remains a trusted resource for concrete sealer tips and reviews through 2022 and beyond. In this updated article, we discuss the qualities to look for when choosing a sealer for brick walls. If you have questions about the best sealer for brick walls, we want to hear from you! Feel free to leave us a comment with some pictures below.
Brick Wall Sealer
Best Sealer for Brick Walls to Prevent Water Penetration
Bricks are used for many aspects of construction. They are considered as one of the strongest and longest-lasting building materials in history. Bricks can be made of clay, concrete, stone, ceramic, or lime and sand. Like other exterior building materials, a brick wall should be sealed to slow the effects of weathering. When moisture is allowed to penetrate the brick, the damaging effects can cause cracking, breaking, crumbling, and efflorescence problems.
Sealing Brick Walls
Sealing a brick wall will lock out unwelcome moisture and protect the bricks and mortar joints from damage. Unless you want to purposely change the appearance, the best sealer for brick walls is a non-gloss penetrating clear sealer. A siloxane-based formula like Masonry Saver Water Repellent or SuperSeal-M will penetrate deeply into most masonry brick walls for optimal protection.
The best sealer for brick walls should be breathable but will not promote peeling or flaking. The siloxane-based brick wall sealers have active ingredients that penetrate the brick pores up to ¼ inch or more. This not only protects the brick wall but also will not alter its appearance of it.
When dealing with the best sealer for brick walls, try to steer clear of acrylics, silicones, and similar types of waterproofing sealers that linger on the surface. These brick wall sealers tend to trap moisture vapors and may promote efflorescence, mold, mildew, and other damaging effects.
Finding the best sealer for brick walls is the key to superb protection and increased longevity of all types of brick walls. Regular maintenance including cleaning and sealing a brick wall will ensure it will be a long-lasting building material that will not fail.
Top Brick Wall Sealer Ratings
Super Seal-M Water Repellent – Best Overall Brick Sealer
SuperSeal M Sealer Review
SUPER SEAL-M is a water-based water repellent made of a special hybrid of Silane and Siloxane. SUPER SEAL-M provides water repellency to porous construction materials such as bricks, stone, concrete blocks, mortar, and grout. The active ingredients in SUPER SEAL-M Water Repellent Sealer are a mixture of different-size particles-some larger, some smaller to fill different size voids. The active ingredients in SUPER SEAL-M Water Repellent can chemically react with the substrate, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Where To Find: SuperSeal M Concrete Water Repellent
Types of Substrates: Plaine Poured Concrete, Bricks, Brick and Chimney Walls, Masonry, Natural Stone
Coats Required: 1 coat
Coverage Per Gallon: 200 sq. ft
Application Tools: Pump Sprayer
Dry Time: 1-2 Hours
Manufacturer: Clemons Concrete Coatings
See Review Article Here: Super Seal-M Water Repellent Review
MasonrySaver Heavy Duty Water Repellent – Best All-Purpose Concrete Sealer
Masonry Saver Heavy Duty Review
MasonrySaver® (Also known as “Defy”) All-Purpose Heavy Duty Water Repellent is a modified siloxane-based product designed to penetrate deeply into most masonry and concrete pores. Unlike acrylics, silicones, and other waterproofing sealers that remain on the surface and trap water vapors, this masonry waterproofing product allows deep penetration of its active ingredient of up to 1/4 inch or more.
Where To Find: MasonrySaver (Defy) Heavy Duty Water Repellent
Types of Substrates: Plain Poured Concrete, Brick, Masonry, Natural Stone, Brick and Chimney Walls
Coats Required: 1 coat
Coverage Per Gallon: 75-150 sq. ft
Application Tools: Roller, Sprayer
Dry Time: 1-2 Hours
Cleanup: Soap and Water
VOC Compliant: Compliant in all States
Manufacturer: Saver Systems
See Review Article Here: MasonrySaver Heavy Duty Water Repellent Review
Questions on Sealing Brick Walls? Please Ask Below.
Best Sealer for Brick Walls Video
As an article and comment contributor to the site, Scott has been around the pressure washing industry since attending college. In 1993 he started his first company called Oakland Pressure Wash specializing in exterior pressure washing, concrete sealing, and deck staining. That company evolved into OPW L.L.C. shortly thereafter concentrating more on exterior restoration. Scott and his restoration Michigan company have restored over 10,000 projects in the Metro Detroit area since the early years. He has become an authority in the restoration industry and has contributed to numerous restoration forums and informative sites.
All the products he suggests through this site are sold through online sites and in retail stores, allowing the consumer to choose their own means of purchase. Scott’s eCommerce sites do sell many top brands he endorses and if you appreciate any of the help he has offered then feel free to purchase from one of them.
Hi
Does the brick work need to be completely dry before you apply the sealant? Just wondering if i need to wait until summer.
Typically yes.
What can i put on the inside of my brick walls to stop moisture coming through. The body corp wont allow anything to be applied externally.
A sealer cannot prevent water from seeping out. You can only stop externally by preventing water from soaking in.
Should 2 coats ofSuperSeal Brick M be applied to a brick wall? If so what is the time between coats. TIA
No, just one coat is needed.
Sorry for the additional question please. If I desire to apply a second coat of SuperSeal Brick-M do I have to do it before a certain amount of time elapses to prevent the first coat from blocking the second? Is a second coat recommended or helpful?
You cannot. It will not take a second coat nor is it needed.
Hi, two questions please. 10 years ago I used Thompsons Water Seal on a small section (6ft by 6 ft) of a brick wall. I now want to do the whole wall with a silane sealer. Can I remove enough of the Thompsons with mineral spirits or EC-1800 to be able to apply the silane sealer on that section?
Secondly, SuperSeal-M says it is composed of various sized particles. Will it clog up a pump up garden sprayer if used to apply it? TIA.
No, you cannot remove the Thompsons. If the surface is porous, then it will take the siloxane-based sealer.
SuperSeal-M does not clog sprayers.
Hi, all our concrete block walls are already painted. Will SupaSeal-M penetrate the paintwork or does it need to be stripped off first?
No, you cannot apply a sealer over paint.
What sealer for a 25 year old brick driveway that you don’t know if it has ever been sealed? Penetrating dealers say don’t use if previously sealed. Surface coat sealers say don’t use if not previously sealed (moisture forms under coat).
Post some pics of drive and does water bead on surface?
What sealer is best for a rendered wall. We get a lot of moisture on this wall
SuperSeal-M.
Hi I have a brick waterfall that runs 24/7. What do you recommend as the best sealer for this? Super seal m or masonry saver?
thanking you in advance
either.
I want to build a shower stall of bricks. What are your suggestions?
Try Super Seal-M.
A landscaper needs to add dirt over the brick that is above the foundation of my house in order to grade the water away, I think that brick should waterproofed first.
what do you think and what would you use to do this?
It does not hurt to seal the brick first. Use Super Seal-M or Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent.
We have exposed the chimney inside the house. Someone told us we should put a sealer on it. Is that true, and if so, what?
No need.
I have an interior brick wall I want to seal mainly to avoid the dust that comes from the brick and protect it from spills etc. Best I can tell, the bricks were made around 1860, some of which seem quite soft. The room is vacant at present, but whatever I use has to be reasonably suitable for indoors. Suggestions? Thanks!
Penetrating sealers do not stop bricks from dusting. You would need a filming sealer that dries on top of the bricks and this will be shiny.
i have building side wall 48 sq metre. brick construction twine wall no cavity . there is possible damp or has been in past wish to protect the brick work and try to improve the heat retention. any recomendations will hand paint or spray thank you
Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent.
we live in a flood prone area and have been flooded three times this year. The lowest room in the house is brick double in some places and single in others. I am trying to make this room as waterproof as possible by using flood barriers on the doors and sealing the bricks from the outside. Will brick sealants protect against flood waters?
No sealer will 100% seal brick walls from flood waters that we know of.
Hi I need a brick vanish to look like is whet please
Sorry but no such thing as a brick varnish. A varnish will peel on bricks.
All what I want I got a brick walls and I want to put something to look like wet
Sorry but no idea as to what will work for a wet look in the UK.
What can you use to seal white brick steps to keep them from looking dirty?
Painted? You cannot apply a sealer over a paint.
Not painted (I don’t think) we bought the brick like that. They are General Shale “Winterhaven”
Please post a picture.
See if you can see that picture
They look white-washed stained. Not sure if a sealer will or will not work over this. I would think it would not work.
FYI The bricks were sealed before painting
I have a brick house that is already painted with a latex water base paint by Valpar. I want to know what is the best way to seal it from leaking water? please help
You cannot apply a sealer over a paint.
Internal brick walls built in 20’s or 30’s. Mortor has a lot of limestone and turning to powder. Is there something that can seal that (or something that will penetrate and dry like epoxy).
No, a sealer will not fix this or stop this. Nothing we know of will.
Ugh. Typos… with field-fired brick.
I live in a refurbished cotton mill. It’s build withe feel-fired brick, circa 1898. If the outside surface is broken, the bricks are often powdery inside. What would you recommend to seal the brick and add strength? Thanks!
No sealer will add strength or even work to stop the bricks from breaking or disintegrating.
To add to my previous question. The brick wall will be recovered with earth.
I have an 18 foot brick wall extending four feet below ground level to the foundation. After excavating and exposing the brick, what do you recommend to seal it?
Try Super Seal – M water repellent.
I just had a workshop built with brick walls. They are sealed very well from the outside with stucco, sealer and paint. I am now looking to seal the inside bare brick walls to help stop staining and dust. I was considering a product called Comex 5×1. As I am in central Mexico. It is a Styrene-Acrylic sealer that is mixed 5 parts water and 1 part sealer. I have had good luck with it in the past and would appreciate your opinion.
Saludos
Sorry but never heard of it so no idea if any good or will work for you correctly.
i have a basement underneath my house i can only seal it from the inside and i want to paint over the sealer basement is brick and render have you got a product for this thanks
You cannot paint over a sealer (it will peel if you do) and you cannot seal from the inside to stop water from seeping out. Sealers only work to prevent water from soaking in, not seeping out. What you want to do will not work.
Where can i buy this ?
Buy which product?
Can Super M be tinted
No, you cannot tint a water repellent sealer.
Hi,
I have a brick backsplash that I would like to seal so that it is more resistant to stains but keeps the same look. What would you recommend?
Super Seal-M.
I’m confused. Your article states that silicon based products should be avoided, but your top recommendation is silicon. Could you please clarify? Also, I’ve seen some silicon based products claim that they penetrate into the brick up to 1/2”. Can such a claim be true?
Silane and siloxane-based are not the same as straight silicon. They are derivates of silicone but penetrate much better than straight silicon.
But are they breathable for brickwork and allow water vapour to escape?
They are.
We have a mainly rendered house with brick below Interior moisture readings of 17% can you recommend a breathable water repellent coating?
Super Seal-M or Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent.
I have a double brick wall that has been rendered internally as we were having mould problems when the external wall got wet with rain. Should I seal the rendered internal wall as well as the external brickwork? Which products do you suggest?
Just the exterior wall.
Use Super Seal-M.
Thanks. Should I use anything on the rendered wall before I paint it?
Just make sure it is clean.
Can a waterproofing treatment be applied using an extension reaching 5m high, to reach a brickwork area (above) an apartment window.
Use a ladder or lift.
I have a brick home that allows wind driven rain to enter the home. What is the best solution. Which brick sealer will prevent water from entering the house.
Super Seal-M will work very well for this.
I have a 3 year old brick home. The brick has not been sealed. Should I have the brick sealed?
Yes, use the Super Seal-M. It helps with water prevention.
We’re looking for a clear product as a waterproofing sealant on historic exterior brick. Any suggestions?
Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent: https://www.defystain.com/brick-water-repellent.html
Which of your products would you recommend for sealing and preventing dust on an interior exposed clay brick chimney?
Sorry, but we do know what would work for interior clay bricks. It is not the same as outside and no sealer will prevent dusting unless it films on top of the brick, creating a shine.
I have a 95 year old chimney that had spalling clay bricks & lime mortar that had been completed repointed with Portland cement. I’ve had the spalled bricks replaced with replacement salvaged bricks to match and pointed with lime mortar. I know the bricks need to be able to breathe. Do you know if Benjamin Moore’s Insl-X Multi Surface Waterproofer, LimeWork’s Ecologic Waterglass or any of these products you’ve mentioned would be the right solution? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Use Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent.
Trying to block tiny holes in the “chicago brick” exterior wall of a garden apartment to avert any potential rodent entry points, and minimize chunks of brick shavings falling in crumbles onto the apartment floor. Sometimes the brick appears to have white almost “foamy stuff” on it, which I assume is moisture driven from the soil outside the unit — not sure if that matters. I’d like a Sealant solution that’s suitable to apply with the tenant in residence (low fumes) — without impacting the beauty of the brick itself. What do you recommend?
Sorry, but a sealer will not work to fill small holes or stop the bricks themselves from deteriorating. Sealers also work to prevent water from penetrating into brick, not preventing moisture or water from seeping out.
i thought Siloxane is only for new masonry. Has anyone tryed pavix
Siloxane is not only for new masonry or concrete.
I stripped paint of of an interior brick wall. On some of the red bricks a powder will rub off. What should I seal this wall with that is flat?
You cannot seal in the powder unless you choose a filming sealer and that means it will have a gloss of some level.
What can I use to make the brick in house not look so dull?
Try a wet look sealer like Surebond SB-6000.
We have a leak into our basement that is coming from a flowerbed on the back of the house. we have tried drilling holes in the outer brick retainer wall, that the flowers are in, but that hasn’t helped
Should be dig out the dirt and add a sealer – and what would that do to our azalea bushes
You have to seal or coat the outside to protect water from soaking in through the walls to the basement. Might want to use some kind of thick membrane since you have dirt there and a lot of moisture.
I have a similar problem. What is thick membrane? Is that a specific product? Please reply. Thanks.
You need to find an exterior company that specializes in basement foundation repair.
Team is siloxane-based products the best to use on new and old render for an internal garage, and walls under the garage? They seem to always be wet but also want to paint them
You cannot apply a sealer and then paint over it. The sealer will repel the paint.
So do I buy a paint with sealing qualities in it instead?
Paints will peel if there are water issues. One other note, it is not possible to stop water from leaching out of concrete. Sealer and coatings will only work to prevent water from soaking in.
So you are saying fixing the underlying issue is the only way? I’m still trying to find where the water is coming in from
Yes.
Can you seal brick mortar instead of tuckpointing it? I have a water leak coming into an outdoor patio that is coming from the brick chimney. Currently I have the chimney wrapped in plastic to prevent the leak from damaging the interior wall.
Brick sealers are more for the brick but sometimes can be useful on mortar but that depends on the porosity of the mortar and if any structural issues with the mortar. Basically, sealers will not fill large voids.
Hi we have a 6ft brick wall around our garden and they are old stock bricks – the red bricks are breaking apart – what can i put on to harden them and protect them in the future?
Sorry, but there is nothing that will harden your bricks so they stop from crumbling.
I am currently building a inside brick chimney with brick that has been salvaged from a 120 year old Victorian home. Most of the brick is powdery and flaky. would sealing these brick before or after laying them help stop the deterioration of the brick?
No, sealers cannot stop deterioration that has already occurred or prevent it from getting worse. They seal and protect, they cannot fix or “harden” the bricks if falling apart.
Is there a product you would recommend?
Not sure what you mean? They cannot do what you want.
Sorry, typo in the prior reply. “they cannot fix or “harden” the bricks if falling apart.”
Is there any point to applying a penetrating sealer to an interior brick wall that is not exposed to moisture? I just had the wall restored using Smart Strip.
No need.
I have a 20 year old clay brick chimney that unfortunately was made with brick that is known to be made defective where spalling is significant after 10-15 years. I had the repairs done but now need to seal it. Is the solvent based sealer a much better choice or can I use a water based solvent that has Siloxane and get close to the protection I need? I hear solvent may have a sheen and also hard to go back to water based when you use solvent based.
You do not need a solvent-based sealer. Use Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent.
HI I have a fountain that has a significant brick feature. I am wanting a sealer that minimizes efflorescence. Appreciate your recommendation. Thanks
Sealers cannot prevent efflorescence.
So, how do you prevent efflorescence?
You cannot.