But by and large it is not a good idea to paint brick because the paint traps moisture. Brick is porous and absorbs some moisture when it is wet. The amount of moisture absorbed varies depending on the quality of the brick and whether the protective fire skin on the outside of the brick is intact.
Should you paint a brick house?
According to House Logic, there are, however, some situations when it’s ok to paint brick:
If the brick has already been painted Like we mentioned earlier, painted brick needs regular maintenance so repainting it keeps it looking fresh. If you live in an older house and the brick needs to be repointed Repointing brick means you’ll have to replace or add new mortar. If the brick is inside the house.
Yes, if you change your mind in five years, you can’t just pressure wash it out. And the paint gets into all the little crevices in the paint and concrete and won’t come out. You are pretty much deciding the the house will always have to be painted after the first time.
A common inquiry we ran across in our research was “What to consider before you paint brick?”.
“If your brick is brand new, wait at least a year before painting it to allow for drying, weathering and leaching.” Always clean brickwork before painting it, and allow it to dry for at least 24 hours before painting it or applying a water repellant.
The hardest part about painting your brick house is the amount of maintenance required to keep it looking good. As brick gets older, it can age, and that aging doesn’t always happen uniformly. Some bricks can start to fade quicker than others and your house will start to look spottier than a Dalmatian.
Brick siding needs painting about every 15 to 20 years depending on upkeep and location. Cement fiberboard siding can last 10-15 years before needing another paint jobAluminum siding paint can last about 5 years. Stucco siding paint is typically good for around 5 to 6 years. Wood siding tends to last between 3 to 7 years, 4 years if stained.
The next thing we asked ourselves was; why hire a professional painting contractor for brick exterior painting?
Professional painting contractors know just the right paint, the right tools, and materials required as well as the cleaning and preparation processes necessary. Painting a brick exterior is an easy way of improving your curb appeal and protecting your exterior.
What should you do with a brick house?
Step 1: Cleaning the Brick. Your painter will likely clean your brick with a pressure washer set between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds per square inch. A stronger force may damage the brick’s mortar. The goal of cleaning is to remove any dirt, mold, efflorescence or any other surface contaminants. Once the washing is completed, the brick will need to dry for at least three days.
Can you change the color of brick after it is painted?
Professional painters know that once brick is painted, it needs to stay painted. And the process of even trying to remove paint from brick can be very costly. The good news is that you can change the paint color as often as you’d like, so you don’t have to be married to one hue forever. Moisture can cause paint to chip.
Can moisture cause brick paint to chip?
Moisture can cause paint to chip. This is true for many home exteriors, but excess moisture can be a valid concern with painted brick especially near the ground. Simple repaints every 7-10 years can help prevent this, however. Occasional repaints will also keep your exterior brick looking fresh at all times.