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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 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.
can you put this sealer on with a roller?
Which sealer are you asking about?
Hello, I have adobe brick walls. How can I permanently seal the wall to prevent water from getting into it? I want a sealant/sealer that would permanently seal the walls and make it waterproof.
Try the Super Seal-M would be best for a water repellent: https://www.concretesealerreview.com/superseal-m-concrete-water-repellent-review/
I have a brick wall as the back wall design of my new swimming pool. There are areas beneath the spa spillover that are always wet from splashing of the spillover. Only after a few months, some of the brick and mortar is discolored. I’d like to clean the mortar (it’s ivory buff colored) but I’m having trouble finding something to clean it. After I clean, I also would like to seal the brick wall so it’s more water repellent. Any product suggestions?
Use Super Seal-M or Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent for sealer. As for cleaning, we would not know what would work for certain but it would have to be acid-based to etch on the discoloration in the mortar.
Snow builds up on my front porch and when it thaws it seeps through the brick. Will super seal M work for that.
It should prevent it from soaking through the bricks but not through mortar cracks or gaps between the brick if you have them. No sealer will prevent this.
I have a rising damp with moisture seeping through the outside downstairs double brick cavity. Need to fill the cavity with a sealer. I have no access to the outside brick wall as it is below ground level. Is there a sealing compound that can seal the cavity from inside the unit
Ph 0427123943
Regards Graham
No, a sealer will not prevent water from seeping out. The only way to prevent is to apply a sealer on the outside to prevent it from soaking in.
I have a concrete balcony and when it rains heavily, the water leaks through the crack in the floor edge and goes through the ceiling below. Will this sealant help to address this isssue?
A sealer will not prevent water from soaking through a crack as they do not fill voids. You could use a crack filler and then sealer over it.
I’m doing a Remodel job and the client wants to leave the brick wall exposed in the shower. Is there a way to seal this brick and mortar so that it will with stand daily use of the shower water hitting it?
Not really. You will run the risk of discoloration of the sealer from constant exposure to water.
Which sealer would you recommend for brick walls, which had effervescence cleaned off?
Try SuperSeal-M or Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent.
Which sealer would you recommend for exterior MUdBrick bottom layers which are crumbling and can it be rendered after sealing process
A sealer cannot prevent crumbling. They cannot be fixed once this starts to happen.
I want to add about a foot of dirt to the exterior of a brick house for raised bed landscaping. Will either of these work below grade?
They should.
Hi, We are converting our basement into a home gym. We have beautiful old granite and brick foundation that we would like to leave exposed. Will an acrylic gloss film former add sheen and keep dust down. Can the same sealer be used on the brick, granite and mortar? Thanks!
We only work with exterior coatings so not sure how a gloss sealer will work here.
Hi, we are planning to paint our bricks wall. Should we seal it before painting? Or would sealing it make it difficult to paint?
My assumption is that we should not seal it because the paint will act as the sealant, but I wanted to check.
You cannot seal before painting as that could repel the paint.
Hello, I had a question as to what would be the best brick sealer for a basement closet? And what would be the best steps to take to clean it. It tends to get a little moldy and cold especially in winter.
Sealers will not work here. They work to seal water from soaking into concrete. They cannot prevent water from seeping out.
Which sealer is best for an all brick patio wall and brick porch steps? Do I clean the brick prior to application? Thanks
Yes, you have to clean first. For a clear sealer with no change of appearance, try Super Seal-M: https://www.concretesealerreview.com/superseal-m-concrete-water-repellent-review/
Hi there, I have a 1920s brick home in Brooklyn, NY. I’m looking to seal the bricks to avoid water penetration. I’m having a hard time deciding which one of these 2 products will work best and why. Can the walls be repointed later on if needed or does repointing have to be done before applying the sealer? Thanks, for your help!
Not sure if it matters with the repointing being done prior or after. Try Super Seal-M.
Thanks for your answer. Super M is a “silicone” base and I thought I should stay away from that. Can you please clarify why it is the one to use even though it has the silicone? Also, if I use that product, will it provide a slight shine to the brick? Thanks again.
It is a breathable siloxane-based sealer, not the same as silicon. No shine with the Super Seal-M and you cannot have a shiny sealer on your shower will bricks otherwise it could turn white.
I have a brick shower stall in my home. I had to do some deep cleaning to remove calcium deposits. During the cleaning, I’m concerned I may have removed or weakened some the of integrity of the original sealer. Now, I believe I should re-seal the bricks. Your article mentions to “steer clear of acrylics, silicones and similar types of sealers that linger on the surface”. What product do you suggest for interior bathroom brick? Thank you for your input.
Try Super Seal-M.
We just had our chimney repointed. How can we tell if the Mason used a water sealer as promised?
See if water beads off it.
Hi, we have built a new house and have a feature interior reclaimed 100 year old brick wall and fire place that doesn’t back on to exterior. Just backs onto the garage and an undercover alfresco area. We want to seal it so it doesn’t let any dust or dirt through. Don’t want a wet look if possible. What do you recommend please? & thanks
Try SuperSeal-M.
What is the shelf life of this sealer? Can I keep it for say 2 or 3 years without any change in the quality of the product?
What sealer?
Masonry saver water repellant. What is the shelf life? Can I keep it for 3 years if left over?
Not if opened.
Hi- I’m pointing my house and about 200 bricks were changed. Previously the brick walll had Thoracoat, but this time I would like to use a sealer instead. Am I making a good choice? Is Perma-Crete Mamsory Coating a good option? Or should I reply Thoracoat again?
Sorry, but we have never used either product.
I have an office unit where the brick are shedding brick dust and it looks like they are falling apart. This building was built in 1904 and was a post office that has been converted into office units. The photos show an example of one of the walls. I was planning to vacuum up the area and apply Defy. Will that help keep the brick from deteriorating?
No, it is not possible for a sealer to stop the deterioration.
We would like to paint our brick, but would like to seal it first. would your recommended product Super Seal-M Water Repellent work for this purpose?
You cannot seal and then paint as the sealer will repel the paint.
What is your opinion of USG Drylock Siloxane 7 5 gal. Clear Invisible Exterior Brick and Masonry Penetrating Sealer?
Sorry never used that particular product but the Drylock brand, in general, is not commercial grade and not the best of quality.
I need a sealer to prevent wet or moisture coming through the brick walls of my house .I’m on brick piers so I can get under house and roll on or paint by brush.
Try Masonry Saver Brick Water Repellent.
My exterior brick is painted with tinted Behr Premium Elsatomeric masonry, stucco & brick paint; still smelling moisture inside. Any recommendations? Thanks.
No, as nothng will work over the Behr.
i need a brick sealer and will apply myself by brush, can you use this for that?
where can I pick some up in USA?
You will need to spray it on with a pump sprayer.
how do you find cost on the superseal-M product?
Search for it online.
What is the best sealer for exposed brick wall that won’t darken the brick. Attached is a photo of the wall. We tried WATCO wall seal just behind the radiator and you can see that the brick is darker and a bit shinier. We want it as matte as possible. Thanks
Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Sealer.
When using the Super M-Seal what is the warranty and how long is it effective?
Lasts about 5-6 years.