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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
Hello is there a store in Montreal, QC that sells this product?
Not sure as we are in the states.
We have exposed an interior brick wall in a 100 year old home. There are areas of old roof tar on this interior brick wall that are too extensive to easily remove, and there is a tar odor that it present in the room. Aesthetically, the blackened areas are not bad as it just appears to be a ‘distressed’ old brick wall, but we are looking for a clear product to seal this brick wall and BLOCK THE ODOR of the tar. What product would you recommend to seal and encapsulate the tar odor on this interior brick wall?
There is not any product that we know of that will work and do this.
Hi
Have built an external bar using hand made building bricks. Bottom 3 courses are wet and moisture is seeping into floor inside.
What can I use to prevent this that also leaves an invisible coat
Also could the recommended product be used to seal a patio
Thank you
Look at using the Super Seal-M for both:
https://www.concretesealerreview.com/superseal-m-concrete-water-repellent-review/
What is best sealant to use on brick fence posts to prevent mold
Looking for a sealer for brick cooping and concrete decking around in ground pool,
Super Seal-M: https://www.concretesealerreview.com/superseal-m-concrete-water-repellent-review/
Can we use this sealant for exposed brick work exterior
Yes, you can.
What is best brick sealer in extreme weather location , in the winter the temperature could get to negative 20F ?
Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent or Super Seal-M.
What would you recommend for kitchen brick Veneer backsplash? Especially for stove area.
Sorry but we only have expereince with exterior surfaces. Not sure what will work here.
Hello – I’m seeking a good sealer for an exposed interior brick wall.
I want to enhance the natural colour – similar to how the colour deepens when it is wetted with water, but I don’t want a glossy/glazed look to it. What would you recommend?
Look at Surebond SB-6000
you recommended Surebond 6000 for sealing indoor brick but I have white washed interior
brick veneer and don’t want it to look darker or shiny at all. Does Surebond make a matte
finish? How best is it applied?
A sealer that is not shiny will not work over a white washed brick wall. It would have to film on top and they are all going to leave a shine if they do.
I purchased a home built in 1926. I removed the plaster to expose the chimney brick in the kitchen. I have removed as much plaster as possible. There is mortar on the brick that I can’t remove. I’m not going for perfection, but character… I plan on repairing some small areas between bricks that are missing mortar. I would like to seal the brick and bring out the color, if possible. I like the look of the brick when it is wet but I do Not want a sealer that is glossy… I prefer a low-key matt finish. What product… Read more »
Surebond SB-6000 Wet Look Sealer.
Thank you!
How can I seal a raised brick pond that is leaking a bit. I’d like to seal the outside of the brick. The bricks are damp.
A sealer will not work for a pond or any area that has constant water.
I require a good sealer for exterior house bricks where the bricks have to be overpainted, what is the best sealer for the purpose please?
You cannot apply a sealer over a paint.
My chimney is leaking and it has caused damp in are bedrooms on the chimney brests i have repointed it all but the bricks seem really porous is it worth using to sealant on it thanks
A sealer would help if the water is coming through the brick. Try Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Water Repellent.
We have an exposed brick wall in our basement which is our bedroom. When we moved in 4 years ago the brick was flaking so our landlords handyman painted it with a sealant. Now it seems the brick and sealer are flaking and there is lots of what looks like calcification. A) is this safe to be sleeping in? B) What steps do we do to make the brick not flake?
A. As long as you do not have mold or mildew, it should not be harmful.
B. Not possible to stop this. It is disintegrating.
Doing my cellar up got a lot of moisture coming out the brickwork.i need to seal it.whats the best stuff to use?
Sealers will not stop moisture from coming out of brick or concrete. Sealers only work to prevent water from penetrating in.
I enclosed my carport and now it looks like the bricks on the interior are getting mold and effloressence. What should i do?
Use some bleach to clean the mildew. That is not efflorescence but something else leeching out. Calcium or calcite maybe. You would have to try an acid cleaner to remove it. No way to prevent it in the future. Just clean as needed.
So you think the black stuff is mildew? Not mold? No sealer would work?
It looks like mildew and sealers will not prevent it.
We have brick stairs and entryway ( not sure what kind of brick but house was built in 1942… ) I’m looking for the best sealant for the brick and mortar. We have noticed some water damage under the stairs beneath the house. I’m planning on redoing caulking where the brick meets the stucco house walls as well. Can you please recommend the best sealer that penetrates the brick but doesn’t cause pooling or slippery bricks?
Try SuperSeal-M.
Can I put the sealer if the bricks are wet?
No.
Best sealer for outside brick steps?
https://www.concretesealerreview.com/superseal-m-concrete-water-repellent-review/
had a fireplace taken down outside 5 years ago but still have the indooor fireplace box but would like to seal the walls of brick, getting some moisture , what is the best product to use
i
You have to seal from the outside to prevent water from coming in. Sealers will not work to prevent moisture from leaching through bricks or concrete.
I have 90 year old brick house in Sacramento. Want a sealer/enhancer that is breathable but provides protection and an enhancer that has wet-look, but is not glossy. Suggestions?
Supreme Shield SB-350 for CA. Low VOC versions of the SB-600.
confirming – this will breathe enough so as to not trap water vapor against our wall, right? thank!
It is not a filming sealer so yes, it should breathe and not have issues.
FYI: checked in with the company that makes Supreme Shield and they replied with this: “Wet look sealers will not work on clay bricks. Dries very blotchy.” Not sure I want to even try something that the company itself does not recommend. Do you know of other products you think might work?
No wet look sealer will ever work on clay bricks. You never mentioned your bricks were clay. Most bricks are not.
Sorry I did not mention that. Not sure ANY homes in Sacramento are NOT clay brick!
I would like to seal a small wall of bricks along the front side the foundation. The top row of bricks form a “lip” and stick out from the exterior wall. I would also like to seal the mortar covered cinder blocks on the foundation on the three other sides of the house. Moisture seems to enter the foundation of the house after rain. Would a specific sealer provide moisture protection for my situation?
Sealers will help to prevent penetration through the bricks but they will not work that well to prevent water going through the mortar where it meets the house.
Thank you for the reply. Which sealer do you recommend for the bricks? And, is there a way method or product to seal the mortar covered cinder blocks?
Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent for the bricks. Not sure about the mortar.
Thank you. Some areas of the foundation and cinder blocks in top of it are not covered with mortar. What sealer do you recommend for the cinder blocks?
I have an exterior brick wall. It was originally an interior wall and the bricks are stacked with old sand mortar (early 1900 construction) The wall was stuccoed and it has not held. All the stucco is falling off and needs to be removed so the wall can be sealed to protect it from the elements and also enhance the aesthetics. What sealer do you recommend?
A sealer for brick walls will not enhance the appearance. For sealing from elements, use the Masonry Saver Brick Sealer.
I have veneer stone on the front of my house. I had it pointed to give it a more finished appearance. I want to make sure the veneer and the cement/ mortar are weatherproof. We live in the Mid-Atlantic Area of the United States. What sealant would you recommend?
https://www.concretesealerreview.com/superseal-m-concrete-water-repellent-review/
Need to put a sealer on this wall that was just built… can you tell me a brand I should use… clear sealant please? Thank you
Try this: https://www.concretesealerreview.com/superseal-m-concrete-water-repellent-review/
We are planning to seal a large area of brick inside our condo. How is the smell of these sealers? Do we need any special ventilation or breathing equipment? Thanks!
We just had this installed in our kitchen. It’s reclaimed brick and I want to be sure it lasts, is protected from any sink splashing and hope to keep the mortar from crumbling. I prefer it NOT to be glossy as I like the more rustic look. Please let me know what you suggest?
Masonry saver Brick Water Repellent.
I have a brick floor in kitchen would like to seal it with a wet look sealent non-yellowing quick dry product.
Concrete or clay bricks?
Living in a complex, I recently raised our patio about 600mm fill it in with gravel and layered it with paving bricks.
There is a dividing wall between the next door neibour and myself. Being higher than the neibour has caused her side to
to be damp and causing a efflorescence effect over a period of five months, what brick sealer do you suggest I paint on there side to stop the dampness coming through? The inside brick wall is approximately a meter high.
However my side will be redone with the necessary compliance.
It is not possible to stop water from coming through a surface. Concrete sealers will only work to prevent water from soaking in, not seeping out.
I have some red bricks where the surface is damaged on the front of my house.These bricks are aged what sealer would you recommend please and would this be clear?
Try this: https://www.concretesealerreview.com/superseal-m-concrete-water-repellent-review/
Hi I’m looking to seal this wall and then paint over with masonry paint. What would be the best sealer please
You cannot paint over a sealer. It would repel the paint.
OK thanks. Could you recommend anything I could do to salvage the wall? Pleaae
A sealer or paint will not help to salvage this brick that is already crumbling. It cannot be prevented or hardened to prevent further deterioration.
I have a corner shower made of brick. I recently bought this home and the previous owner just put up curtains all along the brick. Is there a sealer I can put on it so it will not seep through?? I want to find a black sealer but not even sure where to start looking. Tia.
Tanya
There is no such thing as tinted colors for penetrating brick sealers. To just seal the brick, try the Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent.
I have a brick home built in the 1940s and the weather side of the house is starting to have leak issues when we have wind driven rain. You can see a few small cracks here and there and the mortar is a little crumbly in spots. I was hoping to be able to seal it. I have read about a hundred different things about sealants and the dos and don’ts. It’s just a slight bit confusing. Can you recommend how and what kind of sealants to use? My thought was maybe a penetrating sealant followed by a thicker type… Read more »
You want a penetrating sealer like this: https://www.concretesealerreview.com/superseal-m-concrete-water-repellent-review/
The only way to fix crumbling mortar is to redo it. A “thicker” sealant would not work.
We have a 120 year old Baltimore row home with a 12′ x 8′ tall subterranean wall that weeps moisture.
Will a sealer take care of this so that we don’t have to go through the expense and pain of french drain & sump pump install? Which one would work best? Do we need to clean the wall first? Is this a DIY project? The moisture is not causing any considerable amounts or visible water, but mold appears on the drywall that WAS covering it all up.
Thanks!
A sealer will not stop water from penetrating a foundation wall that is below grade.
interesting answer, as there are a lot of products out there that are made for this purpose.
Not a concrete sealer. Those are very thick membrane-type coatings. They are not the same or even close to a concrete sealer.
I have brick on the bottom half of the entire front of my house. Hate the color and want to paint it but have ready many conflicting articles on what to do and not to do and what paint to use and not to use…..I’ve put it off because I’m not sure what is accurate. Help.
I am sorry but we do not review or use paints for bricks.
I stained my brick house, each brick individually and love the look so much more than the reclaimed reddish look of the natural reclaimed brick that was chipping away in some area. It’s been a year and we are still happy with the result. Only issue was I couldn’t find anyone that was willing to do the work they wanted to either paint the brick or stain the brick and the mortar. I wanted the individual bricks stained so I had to do it myself. Hope this helps you in some way.
Hi, I have a brick built bungalow with suspended timber floor. The exterior walls are rendered leaving approx 2-3 foot of exposed brick. It seems the rain is running down over the painted render and saturating the lower brick. In this wet weather I am finding that my cavity wall insulation is fully saturated and its bridging over to my floor timbers. Its easy to see this is happening as the building has been gutted and there are currently no floorboards fitted. The cavity seems to dry out when the rain stops as there is no mold or rot evident… Read more »
Please send some pictures.
Sure, this is all I have for the minute. I have just fitted the air brick cowels as it seems like rain is getting driven into the cavity through the air bricks by the wind. Its an issue on two walls both on the same side of the house. The side that takes a battering from the rain.
Once the cavity wall insulation gets wet its then tracking across to the floor joists.
You can see below the moisture thats wicked up into the joists. This one in particular is by an airbrick but there are other wet joists that arent as close to airbricks.
The roof and windows that are close arent leaking so in theory if I can stop the raining being driven in by the airbrick (with the cowels) and seal the brick then there is no other way it can get in.
The cavity wall insulation thats higher up, behind the rendered section of wall remains dry.
Try the Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Sealer. It will stop the water from getting through the bricks.
Perfect thank alot. I’m struggling to find a stockist of the Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Sealer in the UK.
I have seen everbuild 408 solvent based super seal here. Its siloxane based as per your recommendation. IS this something you have used?
Thanks again.
Sorry but never heard of it.
I have 100 year old brick interior pillars in my newly-finished basement. I also have an interior fireplace wall and some brick walls exposed to a crawl space, but none of the walls are exposed to the elements. I wish to spray or roll on a sealer simply to lock in the mortar and brick so that it doesn’t crumble/make a mess when you touch it. I have some Meadows Vocomp 30, which is an acrylic water based sealer that I don’t see reviewed on your site, but the manufacturer suggested that is not the correct product to use on… Read more »
A brick or concrete sealer will not harden or stop the current brick from crumbling or dusting.
Should the surface be completely free of any moisture before application?
It depends on the sealer brand and type but typically yes.
i need a sealer (preferible green for and inside brick wall. Please recommend
Brick sealers do not come in tinted colors. For a clear sealer, look at MasonrySaver Brick Water Repellent or SuperSeal-M Water Repellent.
Do you recommend applying a concrete densifier to dry pressed brick to minimise crumbling on the edges? If so is there a sealer/densifier you reccomennd?
Honestly, I have never seen any evidence that they actually work. In theory, it may work for poured concrete but it will not harden edges of brick and prevent crumbling over time.
We bought a house that had a brick patio closed in .half the wall is brich and so is floor. I get water inside every time it rains what is best to seal it.
A sealer will not prevent water from getting into the house in your scenario. It has to drain somewhere so it sounds more like a foundation issue that needs to be fixed or sloped away from the house.
Hi I’m installing a back splash with real brick. I’m just cutting the face off of a brick and installing it. What is the best sealer for that application. I’m not wanting to change to look of the brick if possible
SuperSeal-M: https://www.concretesealerreview.com/superseal-m-concrete-water-repellent-review/
Thank you also is there anything i can do about my carport becoming soaking wet when the humidity gets high. Will it do any good to put a sealer on it?
No, you cannot stop or prevent this from occurring.
Is there anything I can do for my carport sweating when the humidity gets high. It will puddle up all over the concrete
Sorry but no.
Hi what kind of sealer can I use to a brick wall to Make it look wet but also to remain the breathability of the bricks the same?
Try the Supreme Shield SB-600: https://www.concretesealerreview.com/supreme-shield-sb-600-wet-look-review/
Question:
Can I use dry lock paint to waterproof an exterior brick wall that will not be seen as it’s up high and in between Two parts of the same building? The wall is 15 inches deep solid brick from the 30’s. It is causing much grief as to the amount of water it can hold. I did use Thompson water seal 3 years ago. Really didnt help much and seems to be totally gone now. I would appreciate your thoughts.
It will not work well. Can you post a picture of the area that you want to seal?
I have 2 repaired brick fire place’s that are very old and I would like to seal them to stop dust and damage, as there seems to be several products out in the market can you offer any direction on what would be the best?
A sealer will not prevent dust or deterioration of old bricks.
What does? I have a 130 yr old building with crumbling bricks. I am trying to preserve the interior walls.
Nothing will prevent this from occurring.
Do bricks give off any invisible odors/gasses that could trigger allergies/asthma? We have an enclosed porch and we have been experiencing coughing and sneezing when windows are closed for the winter season. Thank you.
Doubt it and never heard of that happening.
Hi, I’ve just done some brickwork with black oxide, when washing down with acid it’s lightened the mortar colour a bit, I’m not too fussed but was just wondering if any brick sealer would slightly darken the mortar colour again without altering the bricks or making them look glossy?
Thanks
Chris
No, you cannot just darken the mortar and not darken the brick at the same time.
I have tannish new bricks inside of front door and steps leading to the house, that will get a lot of traffic. What is the best sealer for this area?
What kind of appearance do you want? Wet look, gloss, no change in appearance, etc.?
So what can stop efflorescence from appearing on the outside Wall of my cement blocks? How can I get rid of the humidity in the cement block cavities?
You can only clean it off, nothing will stop it from coming out of the brick or concrete blocks.
What is the best sealer for efflorescence type of problems that show up on the concrete blocks on the outside of the house. The problem seems to originate from inside the concrete block cavities (& shows up on the outside big time, worst when it is super humid/raining)? Where can one find such a sealer? (Non-acrylic, non-silicone, breathable)….Would it be best to spray foam the outside of the concrete blocks? Why not?
Can the sealer only be applied during warmer weather?
A sealer cannot stop or prevent efflorescence from appearing.