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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
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SuperSeal-M 1 Gallon
$54.99 -
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SuperSeal-M 5 Gallon
$189.99
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
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Masonry Saver (Defy) Heavy Duty Water Repellent 1 Gallon
Top-Rated Concrete Sealers, Water-Based Concrete Sealers, MasonrySaver Concrete Products, Masonry Saver Heavy Duty Water Repellent, Interior Concrete Sealers, The Best Concrete Brick/Block Sealers, The Best Concrete Water Repellents, MasonrySaver Paver and Concrete Products$61.95 -
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Masonry Saver (Defy) Heavy Duty Water Repellent 5 Gallon
Top-Rated Concrete Sealers, Water-Based Concrete Sealers, Interior Concrete Sealers, MasonrySaver Concrete Products, Masonry Saver Heavy Duty Water Repellent, The Best Concrete Brick/Block Sealers, The Best Concrete Water Repellents, Featured Products, MasonrySaver Paver and Concrete Products$219.82
Questions on Sealing Brick Walls? Please me Below.
Best Sealer for Brick Walls Video
We have a brick patio we need to reseal with a water based sealer. Would the Masonry Saver Vertical Sealer work for the brick patio? Thanks!
Yes, it would.
We have just installed a brick backsplash behind our cooktop. What would be the best product to protect against cooking grease and food stains? We also prefer the rustic look and would not like a glossy finish.
Sorry, but our advice and experience are for exterior products. Not sure what would work here.
Can this sealer be used on an interior brick wall which has been German smeared??? It has a fireplace (which is no longer used) and hearth. I don’t like the gritty feel.
Sorry but no.
Can you paint the house after you have sealed it ?
Probably not but that would depend on the paint company and what they say.
Constructing a house near coastel area with exposed brick concept. Kindly advice what kind of protection need to apply.
Apply Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent.
Looking for a brick sealer that will not leave a shinny finish, any suggestions? Thanks in advance
Try Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent.
Live on the coast and have a lot of wind driven rain which is causing a bad leak. Treated it with 2 coats of lastiseal last year, this past storm was the same problem, my time money and effort was wasted, do you have any suggestions.
Mor than likely sealers will not stop this.
I have enclosed a porch with glass on two sides & the other two sides are brick walls.
I don’t think moisture will be an issue, but how do I avoid a problem with brick dust from these walls? I installed laminate flooring in this sun room.
Penetrating sealers will not stop brick dust. I would not worry about it.
I have a five foot brick wall, oneside And house wall the other. With a wooden shed between. Shed is about 20foot long 5 foot wide.
The side with 5foot high brick wall has soil the otherside, which is my neighbor’s level.
(So they are on a higher ground to me)
My problem is damp comeing throw brick wall plus brick work is pours.
Want to get in with electric and shlfing in my shed. But need to sort damp Frist.
Please help.
Thanks
Concrete Sealers protect from water penetration into the concrete/brick. It is not possible for them to seal water from leeching out through the brick.
Thanks for getting back to me.
Have you got any ideas on what i could use
Many thanks
Freddie
No, nothing we know of will work to stop water from leeching out.
Moisture will be under pressure to go through your brick wall into the shed until you capture the moisture first. Think of it as a brick basement! You would need to get you neighbors permission to excavate to access being the wall. Apply a bentonite water proofing. Install a drain tile system that drains to day light and back fill with pea gravel. The pea gravel will break up hydrostatic head pressure and water will migrate down to the drain tile. the clay water proofing will keep moisture way form the rear o the wall. you also need a wall… Read more »
We wash our church brick walls and found out that water was leaking to the inside . what is the best sealer ? our church is 50 yes old too. But we can’t a ford to re brick it..
Try Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent.
We have a problem where a heating vent is comi g out of an old brick wall and condensing on the bricks. This is causing brick dust to run down the wall and stain a commemorative concrete plaque on the wall. Can anyone advise me on best way to seal the wall and stop the problem
Thank you
I do not believe a sealer will work in this scenario to prevent the dusting.
We just bricked the lower portion of our new house that we’re building. We aren’t happy with the mortar as we used it without and color and thought it would dry a darker gray but some of it is almost white. Is there a sealer that when dry would make the brick and mortar look wet, darker in color but not shiny?
Thank you!
Look at using this product: https://www.concretesealerreview.com/supreme-shield-sb-600-wet-look-review/
We want to use exposed brick in the fireplace which will surround a new cooker. Obviously there’ll be lots of moisture and heat from cooking. It’s an old property, 1886, so wondering is there something that can completely protect the brick from any damage? If not we will have to tile instead.
Thank you!
Sealers will not work to help protect the brick from intense heat.
Jenny,
Refractory brick and refractory mortar is what you need (firebrick and fireplace mortar). Do not put any chemical based sealer on surfaces you’ll be cooking with and which might be exposed to high heat.
Our home was built 25 years ago. Our fireplace is in the middle of the house and the brick is exposed in rooms on both floors. Has been sealed and reflashed on exterior but continue to have a leak apparently where the water runs down a valley to the chimney. Can we seal the interior brick to keep the water from coming into the room?
No. Sealers are designed to stop water from soaking in, they cannot stop water from leeching out.
I have a brick veneer house. Whenever we have heavy, sideways, wind driven rain, water seeps into the basement below the sill plate. A mason has checked all the mortar joints and other possible openings and all is good. And all the weeping slots are open. I have to assume that the water is actually coming through the bricks and running down to the top of the basement wall and then into the basement.
Which is the best brick waterproofer to use for this situation?
Thanks
Alan
Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent.
The brick veneer on my mid-50’s home has some spalling bricks but the majority of the wall is ok. Should I treat only the spalling bricks or the entire wall?
Treat all but a sealer will not stop the current spalling.
I have old bldg built in 1920 what is best sealer for these old bricks
Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent.
We have a six unit condo that needs the front brick sealed before we can paint it. I live in Cohasset Mass please give me a contact person to call. Joanne Lydon 781 801 8529
Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water repellent is what you would want. Call them directly for help.
Can masonry sealer bind mortar and brick to prevent further crumbling and dust?
No sealer can do that.
Do the above recommendations/suggestions apply to medium size buildings? I want to know specifically to a 16 story building.
Yes, it does.
I have a home built in 1930s which had a porch later enclosed into room. There is no insulation, just brick and the inside of one of the walls is peeling paint and brick softening which I assume is moisture probably from the water sprinkler system keeping it directly wet. I am thinking I need to seal that outside wall. What do you suggest to do and what do I use?
Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water repellent.
Hi,can you tell me what is the best product to seal an internal exposed brick wall please. We want to keep our looking natural and not have a shine?? Sam
Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water repellent.
Is Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent a generic term or a specific product? If a specific product, where can I buy it in the Albany, NY area?
Specific product. Buy online.
Contact details please
We have a bathroom addition which encompasses the back of an unused chimney. We would like to use the brick chimney wall back as a focal wall in the shower. What sealer would you recommend? I don’t mind periodic maintenance. Thanks
A sealer will not work well for showers. Too much water and will discolor.
We have a 1928 bungalow and we had the chimney lined in 2000. The portion of the chimney in the basement is in excellent condition as well as the portion on the first floor (That part was painted white prior to our ownership) The second floor though has peeling brick. The roof was redone 6 years ago and we don’t see any signs of water. We recently used a wire brush to loosen any remaining crumbling parts of the brick. Would using a seal on the remaining brick be a good idea? What do you suggest as far as brands?
A sealer cannot fix crumbling brick but it should help it from getting worse by reducing the water penetration. Use Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent.
I am planning on sealing a wall behind a three story vertical garden. The wall is double brick and dates back to around 1890. The wall is still in excellent condition.
I was advised to use a product called Radon Fornula 7.
Do you agree with this recommendation given the article above.
Thanks.
We responded to this question already below. No, we would not recommend it.
I have been advised to use Radcom Formula7 to seal a brick wall that will have a vertical garden attached.
Appreciate your comments.
That is a silicon type product that reacts with alkali in the concrete to densify the concrete internally. We do not think these product types do much good of actually sealing the surface. It is used more or less to harden or toughen heavily-trafficked areas. Garages, parking decks, etc.
You could use a product like this but you would still need to seal the exposed surface after.
Thanks for your response. Could you recommend the best quality dealer for the wall. Additionally could you advise how long this sealer lasts
Input greatly appreciated.
Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water repellent. Lasts about 5-7 years.
I have a brick house built in 1902. We have damp appearing on the corner of a bedroom wall and adjacent ceiling area on the first floor. This is where the house stands forward of adjoining houses and takes the full brunt of the weather. The roof has been inspected by a couple of builders over the years and no ingress can be found so we are fairly sure it’s just the onslaught of heavy rain. The brick joints have been repointed but the problem continues. We also have, in the same bedroom, damp coming through another wall which we… Read more »
Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent.
What product is best for sealing exterior bricks above and below grade?
Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent. 5-7 years.
Our 1948 home is painted brick. There is significant chipping so we plan to sandblast or power wash the surface before painting. Is the sealer applied before or after painting?
You cannot apply a sealer over paint and applying a sealer before paint could hinder the paints ability to adhere.
Sandblasting brick will compromise the surface of the brick. Like a crust on bread the exterior of the brick protects the more porous innards. You may open up a big can of worms by doing so. Think about using a sodium hydroxide gel (a paint remover). More work involved, but you won’t ruin your house.
I have a 100 yr old house with interior brick walls in my basement. After repairing and repointing, I would like to seal them to keep out moisture/humidity. Is there a clear sealer that would preserve the beauty of the brick?
Sealers will not stop water from coming through the walls, they work by stopping water from soaking in. You would have to seal from the outside of the foundation.
My house was built around 1915 it’s a red brick and still in great shape but I’m starting to get small gaps between the mortar and brick in places is there anything I can use that seals both the brick and takes care of the gaps since there so small. Located in Nebraska so it sees all the elements.
A sealer will not wok to “fill” gaps int he mortar. You would have to fill those first mortar and then seal.
The original front wall of my house comprises a consistent red brick however, an extension was built in a brick that is of a lighter and more varied red. When I wet the brick on the extension it looks far more similar to the original brick than when it is dry. For this reason I am looking for a wet-look sealer whose only quality needs to be longevity. Do you have a recommendation?
Thanks
See this: https://www.concretesealerreview.com/supreme-shield-sb-600-wet-look-review/
Thanks!
What’s the longest lasting brick water repellant on the market
Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent. 5-7 years.
I have a two fences in my yard that matches my house made of old Chicago brick. The brick is flaking off terribly from my Sprinklers and even where the sprinklers don’t hit the fence. What kind of sealant do you recommend I’m losing my brick.
Look at Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent.
What should I use if I want to deepen the color of the interior brick in my home, i.e. make it look “wet” but matte, with no sheen?
Surebond SB-6000 wet look sealer.
Hello! We just purchased an old Victorian-style home built in 1895 in Cincinnati, OH. The old brick chimney, which we think was formerly a fireplace, is exposed and is featured prominently in the dining room and kitchen. It looks great, but a contractor today told us we should seal it with polyurethane in case of lead exposure to our newborn, and to keep it free of dust. Is this necessary? If so, are there some eco-friendly/less toxic products we can use? Our baby will be born in a couple of months, and it almost seems better if something weren’t off-gassing… Read more »
I doubt that it is doing this but if you want to seal it, do not use a poly. Use a penetrating Brick Sealer. Try Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent.
Our home has a section of brick veneer that does not have any weep holes for the water to escape. When it rains and the wind blows against the wall, water penetrates the brick and utillmately finds its way into the house. What kind of sealer would be best to keep the water from pentetrating the brick? I would like not to have to paint the brick.
Thanks, Lloyd
Try Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent.
I did a German Smear on the exterior of my home. Will BEHR PREMIUM Concrete & Masonry Protector & Waterproofer seal it to prevent staining and waterproof it?
Doubt it but best to ask them directly as we do not use any Behr products due to their poor results.
Not sure if anything will work over a “German Smear”.
Then which one of your products would you think would work? I know you say that your not sure anything would work, but it pretty much the same concept as applying stucco.
As we mentioned, not sure if anything will work over a “German Smear”. Never tried anything over this surface type. Best to ask the manufactures directly since we do not have any experience.
Hi , we have redone / rendered our kitchen walls , while revamping our kitchen & have decided to keep the the section of a lovely exposed red brick walling our 1930’s Spanish home . We would like to know what the best brand of the least toxic sealer but one that would give us s slightly darker finish then the existing . Satin finish not sheen . It’s on the opposite wall in a hall way of the kitchen next to 2 pantries , so it’s in a well ventilated position . But it needs to be sealer. God… Read more »
Try Surebond SB-6000 wet look sealer.
Can it be painted afterwards?
No, that will not work.
Have 3 story wall of sand faced General Shale beautiful beige brick on one side of house. Building 15 yrs. old. Done all except seal brick. Redid positive drain. Checked gutters etc. even repaired where window was removed at basement level. Only leaks when 3-4 inches rain hammers wall in very brief period….2-4 hrs. Water enters basement at ground surface level and runs down to basement floor.it is enough that must use wet vac. Water is clear. No sign of dirt even with white paper towels. Leak stops when rain stops. Last choice appears to be clear sealing. Think siloxane… Read more »
Use Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent.
Hi,
My house was built in the 1869. I just spent thousands of dollars to have it repointed. Should I seal the brick now that the work is done? If so, which product do you recommend? And how long would it last?
Thanks from Pa.
Yes. Use Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent.
I just exposed an brick fireplace in a bedroom. Any green products out there or ones that are safe for specifically interior jobs? I do not want a wet look at all. I’ve been reading some labels and they say “Caution: Cancer & Reproductive harm” and trying to steer clear..unless that’s with all of them. Thanks!
Why do you need to seal it if it is inside?
Ha I just thought that’s what you’re supposed to do. If it rains real good, a bit of water does come through, but also for dust purposes. I don’t need a full-blown 100% waterproofer or anything.
Sealers will not stop rainwater from leeching in nor will a penetrating sealer stop dusting.
so you would not recommend sealing interior brick?
No need.
I am looking for a clear sealer or coating to apply on a brick sidewalk covered with algae. I want to add silicone carbide grit to it to ensure a slip proof surface. Sidewalk is always shady. What do you recommend? Need to know length of service of coating and anything else. Thanks! Lawrence
You cannot add a grit to a penetrating sealer and no need as well. Try Masonry Saver Heavy Duty Water Repellent.
I have a newly built brick and mortar fireplace. The sides have a sloped area that i want to waterproof and I want the finish to not be seen at all or darken the brick slightly. Which sealer should I use?
Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent.
I have a brick chimney that I have had repaired twice, in the winter with a hard freeze some bricks the face pops off. This last winter about 16 brick. The bricklayer sprayed sealer the last time repaired (2 yrs. ago) he now says it needs to be resealed every 2 years. This does not sound right to me. I am going to repair again. What is the best sealer, the cap is in great shape. The brick is the same on the whole house it only happens on the chimney above the roof line on all sides of chimney.
Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent. Should last about 5-6 years.
We have an old church that has a brick exterior wall. We need to seal the brick and mortar so that water doesnt penetrate inside. Do you have a product you suggest?
Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent is your best option.
We have a house built in 1905 and a single red brick on the exterior is flaking to powder. It does not get excessive weather so I am not sure what is causing it. Is there something I can apply to stabilise the brick to prevent further flaking without changing the colour?
Sorry but no, that is not possible.
I had a waterproofing product put on my chimney last year. I had leaks this year.
Can a better product be applied now and still penetrate the surface?
Probably no. Are you sure the water is coming through the bricks? It may be coming through mortar joints, etc.
Our home was built in 1978. Part of the exterior trim is Chicago multi-color brick. Over time parts of the brick have become soft & brittle. Particularly courses close to the ground. I am looking for a quality clear sealant that I can apply myself. Want to stop further deterioration.
Try Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent.