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This post was most recently updated on May 10th, 2024
Hi, I am Scott Paul, a leading exterior brick sealing restoration contractor and business owner with over 30 years of experience in exterior concrete coatings. For info about who I am, please read my full bio here.
What is my Best Sealer for Brick Walls
Concrete Sealer Review has been a trusted resource for concrete sealer tips and reviews since 1993. In this updated article, I discuss the qualities to look for when choosing a sealer for brick walls. I want to hear from you if you have questions about the best sealer for brick walls! Feel free to leave us a comment with some pictures below.
Brick Wall Sealer
My Best Sealer for Brick Walls to Prevent Water Penetration
Bricks are used for many aspects of construction and are considered one of the strongest and longest-lasting building materials in history. They 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 brick and mortar joints from damage. Unless you want to change the appearance purposely, 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 most masonry brick walls deeply for optimal protection.
In my experience, the best sealer for brick walls should be breathable but will not promote peeling or flaking. Siloxane-based brick wall sealers have active ingredients that penetrate the brick pores up to ¼ inches or more. This not only protects the brick wall but also does not alter its appearance.
When choosing the best sealer for brick walls, avoid acrylics, silicones, and similar waterproofing sealers that linger on the surface. These 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. I have found that regular maintenance, including cleaning and sealing a brick wall, will ensure it is a long-lasting building material that will not fail.
My 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. It provides water repellency to porous construction materials such as bricks, stone, concrete blocks, mortar, and grout. The active ingredients in the SUPER SEAL-M Water Repellent Sealer are a mixture of particles of different sizes, some larger and some smaller, to fill different-sized voids. The active ingredients in SUPER SEAL-M Water Repellent can chemically react with the substrate, ensuring long-lasting performance.
- My favorite concrete water-repellent. It works great and does not cost a fortune.
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 My Review Article Here: Super Seal-M Water Repellent Review
MasonrySaver Heavy Duty Water Repellent – Best All-Purpose Concrete Sealer
MasonrySaver Heavy Duty Water Repellent
MasonrySaver® (Also known as “Defy”) All-Purpose Heavy Duty Water Repellent is a modified siloxane-based product designed to penetrate most masonry and concrete pores deeply. 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 My Review Article Here: MasonrySaver Heavy Duty Water Repellent Review
Questions on Sealing Brick Walls? Please me Below.
Best Sealer for Brick Walls Video
Hi Scott: Do you have any opinions about applying a sealer over an impregnator? My wife insisted on a brick backsplash in a new kitchen. I am considering applying a couple of coats of a siliconate impregnator and then applying 2 coats of a polyurethane sealer, but I am open to considering other product types. I want to use a sprayer for the applications, but could be talked into using a brush. I don’t know if adding sealer coats would adhere well, nor if they would add any stain-resistant durability to the backsplash. The bottom line is that I want… Read more »
Sorry but we do not have any experience with trying this. Also, we work on exterior brick, not interior, so not sure what top coat sealer will work well for a backsplash.
Thanks for the quick response!
A 1930s warehouse was converted to condos in the 1980s. The INTERIOR walls of this condo are red brick. Two walls are original bricks, two walls are likely new 1980s bricks added at the time of the conversion. Assume that someone smoked heavily in this unit over the past 30 years. Will sealing the bricks stop odours and toxins from its past being released into the unit? What sealant should be used (breathable or unbreathable)? Should the bricks be washed first before being sealed, or just sealed as is? The purpose of sealing is to stop any odours from the… Read more »
The only way to prevent odors would be to 100% top coat with a gloss type sealer or epoxy, making it not breathable. This will not give the vintage look as it will be glossy and the colors will be ehanced.
Concerning the Super Seal-M Water Repellent, how long will it last agaist water infiltration on vertical installed brick on home?
5-7 years.
I’m located in laval, Quebec, Canada. Do you apply the product or have subcontractors whom do work for you in this area?
It is easily applied yourself.
I want to make my external brickwall look new.I still want to maintain the grouts.I do not want to change the color of the grouts.However,I want to renew the color of the brick itself and make it look newer,as if it was bought new.That means that I do not want to change the color of the brick,but I want to sharpen it and make it look fresher.What is the best product to use? Do I use a sealer? Do I use a stainer? Do I use both? Is there anything like a clear stainer that will color the brick walls… Read more »
What you want to do is not possible. You cannot make bricks on a house look “fresher” but at the same time “not” change or enhance the look. Enhancing wet look sealers also are not designed for vertical bricks.
Thanks Mr.Scott Paul,
I think I misunderstood you.
I found out there are two issues being addressed here.One is “staining” the brickwall and the other is “sealing” the brickwall.
I actually want to “stain” the brickwall to make the bricks look now.However,I do not want to tamper with the mortar joints or re-colour them.
So,how do I go about this?
You can’t stain vertical bricks and even if you could, there would be no way to prevent it from getting in the mortar.
What you want to do is not possible.
I’m looking for a breathable sealer for interior brick with a schmear/type O mortar coat to slow dust and efflorescence. All that can be done to control exterior water has been done but in periods of heavy rain moisture colors walls at corners where sediment layers have built up between brick foundation layers. We’re in Denver, CO where it’s pretty dry but climate is becoming more erratic. No water pools inside but wall stay damp a long time after these flash floods. Best options?
Sorry but no such coating exists. To prevent dusting, you would need a film forming coating and no sealer will prevent efflorescence.
Hello I have a 4 story brick building in need of repair and repointing in some areas on the front and rear of the building. The sides can probably get some minor repointing, but overall are in good shape. One of the sides was spot pointed 12 years ago and the other 30 years ago. I received a quote form a mason contractor(quite expensive)and he is insisting on grinding out and repointing the whole building, he claims that is the only way he can guarantee the building not to leak inside.. Do you feel that just sealing the exterior with… Read more »
There is no way of answering this question correctly without knowing how bad of shape the repointing is. Sealers cannot fill large voids. Paints will not work either to fill large voids.
What is the best vanish can you use for pan brick’s wall in a restaurant
You cannot add a varnish to brick walls, it will peel.
Hello, for early 1900s porous brick that still has left over plaster, would brushing loose debris and then sealing it with multiple coats actually work to prevent too much crumbling? What sealer is best?
Sealers cannot stop or prevent crumbing of brick that have already started to fall apart.
Is it possible to spray the sealant with an airless sprayer?
Which sealer?
My home is older and has cement wall’s that have been painted outside. The bottom of the house gets a lot of moisture. What can I use to seal the bottom of the house for moisture. I did power wash it to get most of the paint chips off but of course I couldn’t get all of them.
You cannot seal over paint. It would have to be removed fully. Once removed, try the SuperSeal-M:
https://www.concretesealerreview.com/superseal-m-concrete-water-repellent-review/
what is best to seal antique bricks made in the 1890’s ? they are on a veneer wall that is very exposed to the elements .
thanks you
Use this: https://www.concretesealerreview.com/superseal-m-concrete-water-repellent-review/
Hi there! We are looking to seal the brick exterior of our 1756 home but white-wash it first with 50/50 paint/water. (It has already been powerwashed.) I’ve read some of your responses that say a sealer can not be used over paint. So how do I seal white-washed brick?
You can’t.
How would you deal with an exterior brick wall that you want to paint and has water sometimes hitting the other side? Clean, dry, apply sealant, then masonry primer, then elastomeric paint? Or???
You cannot paint over a sealer. The sealer will repel the paint.
So then just clean, dry, masonry primer and elastomeric paint?
That should work.
Is there a way to add a tint to a non-gloss sealer on wall brick?
No, there is not.
Seal and protect…
I am currently “exposing two structural brick columns in my bathroom. What’s best to seal/lorote to with and look nice?
What type of appearance do you want? Enhanced look, gloss, no change, etc. Is it in the shower?
Hi there. Thank you for such a quick reply. I actually am in front of the computer to order a sealant you might refer. I was going to try to possibly phone you for advice on this and another item also concerning brick pavers. I’m ready to order products. Columns I mentioned are close to the shower and I’m aiming for a semi-gloss(?), just a natural look. The house was built in 1903 and is a “Romanesque” rowhouse, downtown Baltimore. I’m changing the bathroom, bit-by-bit, to a more modern, rustic style. Stand-alone tub, etc… These bricks have not seen the… Read more »
For the interior walls, try a water-based sealer due to lower odor.
https://www.concretesealerreview.com/masonrysaver-decorative-concrete-sealer-review/
Paver sealers will not prevent weeds or moss in the sand joints.
Thank you Mr Scott Paul,
I will take your advise.
Too bad about the pavers.. Nature is taking over!!!
thank, so much
Karen
Polymeric sand may help minimize moss growth.
Just to be clear..
in this instance you prefer the concrete sealer over the brick sealer even though the brick sealer mentions to not use an acrylic on unsealed brick? I’m a bit confused. I do like the idea of lower odor though since it will be applied in a relatively small space.
In this case, yes.
Hi there Scott, My name is Phyllis. I recently moved to AZ and I bought a slump block house. I was told that I need to seal it, I don’t even know if that is true as I have been also told that I don’t need to seal it. I am doing research on sealers and I would like one that is safe for my health and one that will last a while. What do you recommend?
Please reply back with some pics of what you are trying to seal.
My house.
Looks like it is painted? You cannot seal over a paint.
It is not painted.
Try this sealer: https://www.concretesealerreview.com/superseal-m-concrete-water-repellent-review/
Hello’ Scott
Please see the pic.
Do You have an opinion ? I am having this issue the last 15 years
Thought was the roof and/or eaves trough ,replaced them without improvement , many experts have been consulted without solutions , getting worst during the winter ,
Thank You in advance for You comment.
Sorry, but no idea how the water is getting there.
Hi Scott. We have a brown brick fireplace in the living room . It’s 3 years old. We just noticed the bricks turning white with grit and flaking off. We live in Georgia on the coast, the house is at 55 percent humidity or less year round so there is no moisture. We do not use the fireplace very often. How do we stop this?
It is not possible to stop or prevent this. You can clean it off but you need to find out what it is first as there is no cleaner that will remove every scenario as it could be many things causing this. Examples: Calcite, Efflorescence, Calcium Deposits, etc.
My 10 year old house in Houston, TX is brick veneer on all 4 sides. The bricks are showing what looks like tiny, white pebbles where the red of the brick has sluffed off. Some bricks have chips which weren’t there before. Can you tell me what is happening and how I can stop this deterioration. Many thanks,
That is called oxidation from the sun deteriorating the face of the bricks. It cannot be prevented or stopped.
Hi I have a home with Japanese sand and straw wall finish (exterior) would this be able to work on it for waterproofing? I am looking for a good product for exterior and can’t find one… Thanks for any knowledge
Sorry but no idea what will work on this wall type.