When it comes to property maintenance, few elements are more important than protecting your brickwork from the harsh British weather. Over time, bricks are exposed to rain, frost, algae growth, and airborne pollution, all of which can lead to deterioration. That’s where a brickwork sealer becomes essential. A properly applied sealer for brickwork not only prevents long-term damage but also improves the appearance and longevity of your structure.
At Cornerstone Brickwork, we understand the importance of maintaining the strength and finish of your brick and masonry surfaces. With years of hands-on experience across residential and commercial projects, our team prioritises quality materials and smart maintenance solutions that truly protect your property. If you’re wondering whether a brickwork waterproof sealer is worth the investment, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know, based on facts, not fluff.
Why Sealing Brickwork Matters
Unlike other building materials, bricks are naturally porous. This means they absorb moisture when exposed to rain or condensation. In colder months, the trapped water freezes and expands, causing bricks to crack or crumble, a process known as frost damage. On older buildings in particular, this can lead to structural instability over time.
Applying a brickwork sealer creates a breathable barrier over the brick’s surface. This barrier allows moisture trapped within the wall to escape, but blocks new water from entering. It’s an essential part of any long-term brickwork maintenance plan, especially in the UK’s damp climate.
Signs Your Brickwork Needs a Sealer
Before investing in sealing, it’s useful to assess the condition of your existing brickwork. Here are some tell-tale signs that your wall might need a sealer for brickwork:
- Visible water absorption: If your bricks darken significantly during rain and stay damp for hours, they’re likely absorbing more water than they should.
- Algae or moss growth: Green or dark staining is a sign of consistent moisture retention, especially on north-facing walls.
- Efflorescence: This white, powdery residue is caused by salt deposits left behind as water evaporates from the bricks.
- Cracks or flaking mortar: Often a result of repeated freeze-thaw cycles or long-term water ingress.
If you spot any of these issues, it’s time to act. Addressing the root cause early, before more invasive repairs are required, can save thousands of pounds in the long run.
What Does a Brickwork Sealer Do?
A brickwork waterproof sealer works in a few critical ways:
- Water resistance: It prevents rain and moisture from penetrating the bricks while allowing existing internal moisture to escape.
- Protection from biological growth: By reducing moisture content, it also minimises the conditions that support algae, moss, and lichen.
- UV protection: Some high-quality sealers offer added UV protection, preserving the natural colour of your bricks.
- Enhanced durability: By reducing the moisture cycling in bricks, a sealer extends the overall lifespan of your masonry.
At Cornerstone Brickwork, we use industry-approved sealers that offer long-lasting results and require minimal maintenance. Our application process ensures even coverage and deep penetration into the surface, ensuring optimal protection.
Choosing the Right Sealer
Not all sealers are the same. Depending on the age of your property, the type of brick, and whether it’s been treated before, different solutions may be suitable. Here’s a basic breakdown:
- Silane-Siloxane Sealers: These are breathable sealers that soak into the brick and create an invisible water barrier. Ideal for residential homes and listed properties.
- Acrylic Sealers: These form a surface-level barrier and often give a slight sheen. Suitable for decorative finishes or high-traffic areas like garden walls.
- Penetrating Water Repellents: Designed to go deep into older, porous bricks, these products are useful for restoring protection to heritage properties.
The team at Cornerstone Brickwork will always assess your structure’s condition before recommending a product. We avoid a one-size-fits-all approach because we believe in craftsmanship that lasts.
How the Sealing Process Works
Applying a brickwork sealer correctly is as important as choosing the right one. At Cornerstone Brickwork, we follow a detailed process to ensure long-lasting performance and professional results.
Step-by-Step Approach:
- Inspection & Surface Preparation
First, we inspect the brickwork for existing damage, moss, or biological growth. Any flaking mortar is repaired, and the surface is thoroughly cleaned. Power washing or soft washing may be used depending on the condition and age of the bricks. - Drying Time
The sealer should be implemented when the bricks are completely dry. To make sure that there is no moisture locked within the ground, we plan the application when there is no rain around.
- Application of Sealer
We can apply the brickwork waterproof sealer using low-pressure spray evenly and consistently using spray equipment or rollers. Majority of surfaces only need to be applied once and older or more porous bricks could do with a second coating.
- Final Checks
Once cured, water resistance is also tested to confirm that sealing has been done. This is what is supposed to last as long as 10 years pending on the product being used as well as the exposure of the wall.
This caution insures your masonry is not subject to water penetration whilst maintaining the breathable quality to traditional brickwork work, necessary to older UK houses.
Maintaining Sealed Brickwork
After your wall has been sealed with a brickwork sealer, maintenance is not difficult but significant:
- Inspect visually every year and where there is a lot of exposure, be sure to inspect to gauge wear on the battens.
- Clean off superficial grime using a low-grade brush or low-pressure jet.
- Do not use strong chemicals that may deteriorate the sealant, early.
In case you have some doubts about the current condition of your current sealer, you can easily do a water test: shovel some water on top, in case it beads and slides off, your sealer is intact. When it soaks up it is time to reapply.
Why Trust Cornerstone Brickwork?
We are specialists at the Cornerstone Brickwork because we do not sell sealing, we sell peace of mind. We are a skilled team capable of working on all sorts of domestic and commercial property at any location in the UK with a positive reputation of quality workmanship and customer attention.
What Sets Us Apart:
- Genuine Experience: We specialise in all aspects of brickwork, from restoration and repair to sealing and repointing. We know what to look for and how to treat it.
- Tailored Solutions: We recommend the right brickwork sealer based on your property’s age, location, and usage. No shortcuts, no one-size-fits-all.
- Reliable Results: We only use proven, industry-approved sealers with lasting protection and full compliance with UK building standards.
We believe in protecting brickwork the right way, professionally, carefully, and with complete transparency.
When Should You Seal Your Brickwork?
The ideal time to apply a brickwork waterproof sealer is during a dry period in spring or early summer. This gives the sealer time to cure without interference from heavy rain or frost.
For new builds, sealing should be done once the bricks are fully dry and the mortar has set, typically after a few months. For older homes, any restoration work should be completed first before sealing.
Final Thoughts on Brickwork Sealer
In the UK’s damp and unpredictable climate, taking proactive steps to protect your property is a smart move. A high-quality sealer for brickwork not only safeguards your home from water damage but also maintains its aesthetic appeal and value over time.
At Cornerstone Brickwork, we’re committed to providing trusted, long-term solutions that are backed by real craftsmanship and expertise. If you’re considering sealing your walls, get in touch with our team for honest advice, tailored recommendations, and a finish that lasts.
Protect your brickwork the right way, contact Cornerstone Brickwork today for expert sealing services you can trust.
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