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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
$64.99 -
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SuperSeal-M 5 Gallon
$214.99
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$65.95 -
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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
Hi Scott. We have a 1960’s built commercial building where the exterior brick had been painted by prior owner. There are a few leaking areas with gaps in the mortar. Do we need to repoint or can we caulk those gaps? Then put some type of sealer on the exterior painted brick? Any advice would be appreciated.
Many thanks, Susan
You cannot seal over a paint. As for the wall, we do not have experience with repointing or caulking. We work with sealers only.
Thanks Scott. I’ll keep researching and I’ll remember these sealants if I’m lucky enough to have an unpainted brick wall one day.
What is the perm rating of Super Seal-M brick sealer? or what sealer product has the highest vapor transmission?
Also what is best brick wall sealer to prevent old mortar dusting without changing appearance?
Not sure of perm rating. No one has ever asked. Check with the manufacturers to see if that rating is even an option. Sealers cannot prevent mortar dusting unless they are “filming” sealers and that means you will alter the appearance.
My husband and I recently bought a house built in 1890. The downstairs bathroom was gutted when we purchased it and we’re in the process of renovating. The room has an exposed brick wall that we plan to keep exposed. The wall is a mix of painted and exposed brick (see photo). What sealer would you recommend for an exposed brick wall in a bathroom? There is a shower and I’d like it to look as close to its natural brick state as possible. Also, I understand that the sealer won’t work / won’t seal the painted brick, but does… Read more »
Try Super Seal-M water repellent. Keep it off the painted areas.
Thank you. I’m not sure my contractor has a pump sprayer. Will the MasonrySaver Heavy Duty Water Repellent sealer work as well?
You have to spray that as well for the best results. Pump sprayers are about $40 at Lowes or Home Depot.
OK. Thank you.
What do you recommend for an interior concrete wall that is in a basement, fully underground? Trying to keep mold/mildew from forming. WE have cleaned the walls and installed a dehumidifier.
Super Seal-M water repellent.
We recently exposed the brick wall in our basement in Tennessee. Its a 3 course think wall and 3 feet of the brick are below grade. All of the brick were previously covered in plaster. We have worked hard to remove the plaster but there are still a lot of “dusty” looking areas. When wet the brick looks fantastic and so some of the acrylic sealers are tempting, but we also want to careful to allow the brick to breath since its below ground and susceptible to moisture being pulled thru the brick. Is there any product that would help… Read more »
Look at using Surebond SB-6000 for this interior wall.
hello Scott. I have a rather large external brick wall. can I seal only the bottom half of this or do I need to seal the whole wall
Ann
Best to seal all of the wall.
we are remodeling our kitchen and exposed a 100+ year old brick chimney passing through it as a feature. After we are done removing plaster and cleaning it what would you recommend to finish/seal it with (non glossy)
Enhance or no enhancement to the bricks?
Hi Scott, I have the same question and scenario as Steve. I don’t want enhancement on the bricks.
Will this sealer work for ceramic pool tiles? If not, what’s your recommendation?
No, and we are not sure what will work on ceramic tiles.
We have cold air coming in where our kitchen is is there a sealant I can put on the outside brick to prevent air coming through thanks.
Sealers will not prevent air from coming through the brick wall. If you have air coming through then it is coming through large gaps and possibly the mortar.
Have cinder block walls outside that have been painted and have efflorescence. After cleaning areas, what is best product to use before repainting to stop from reoccurring as happening throughout our community.
Nothing will work to stop efflorescence and you cannot apply a sealer over paint.
We have a totally brick home exterior in Florida. On the South side the lower 5 or 6 courses of bricks are flaking away, some small chunks and in some cases the entire outer surface in one big piece. We cleaned all of them and applied a sealer that was recommended by a builder. It has not helped at all. Do you have any suggestions?
A sealer cannot stop or prevent bricks from deteriorating. You would need to replace the bricks.
Had a stamped concrete patio poured summer of 21. Sealed shortly after per contract by same company. Have what looks like fog or or thin ice layer after any moisture contacts patio. Company has sent rep out to examine after phone discussion. Company rep has explained nothing out of ordinary. Pictures are included. Please share your thoughts. Thank you.
Bad sealer. Needs to be stripped off. https://www.concretesealerreview.com/how-to-strip-a-stamped-concrete-sealer/
Hi Paul. I have a brick garage it is on the fence line of my property and I suspect it was built in the 50-60’s. I have converted some of it into a studio and now I’m experiencing internal mould. I have stripped off the bottom metre of plaster board to expose brick internally and yes they are wet I suspect on my neighbour side some of the brick work is under soil. I know I will need to dig down to foundations and seal. My question is should I use a bitumen sealer below soil and then what products… Read more »
You would need to seal from the outside to fix this and prevent water from soaking in. We do not do below-grade foundation work so not sure what the best options are for your scenario.
We have a bitumen floor in both bedrooms the two corners of the bedrooms ,both floors are wet in the corners we don’t know how to cure it ,it seems to be only when it rains .
You have to fix it from the outside, not the inside. To fix you will need to fin out how it is getting in.
Two questions:
1) We have a 100 year old brick house and had two hurricanes which packed tangential rain resulting in water intrusion in many areas. Which sealant is best to prevent this?
2) The humidity in our house seems to change based on the outdoor climate. We live in a high-humidity climate region where the interior of our house often has humidity in th 60-70% range. Will one of the sealants help regulate/decrease the internal humidity? If so, which one is the best for this?
Try Super Seal-M Water Repellent for the bricks. A sealer will not help with humidity.
What to seal an exposed interior wall built 1890
Try SuperSeal-M water repellent.
How long will it seal the brick for?
5-7 years.
I am looking to prevent my stone walls from dusting, and I don’t care what the finish looks like, the priority is to stop the dust. I see you have recommended filming sealers to others who have this problem, but have not recommended a specific product. Is there a specific filming sealer you would recommend?
Interior or exterior?
We are finishing a large detached garage in Utah with thin bricks that are attached with Locktite Premium Max Construction adhesive and then grouted. All exterior walls of the garage are covered with the brick. We want to seal the brick to prevent moisture behind it that could freeze and pop off the thin brick. What do you recommend to seal the brick of the garage, how should it be applied, and how long will the sealant protect the brick from moisture? Thank you.
Try Super Seal-M. Apply with a pump sprayer. Lasts about 5-6 years.
Thank you. Temps here right now are 20-35. Can the sealant still be applied to protect from winter rain and snow, or do we have to wait until spring and hope brick won’t get moisture behind it?
Spring. Needs to be above 50.
I have a brick wall on a house that leaks inside when the rain hits it from the right direction what sealer would you recommend or would a sealer not help this situation thanks
You have to seal the outside brick. Try Masonry Saver Vertical Brick Sealer.
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.