How To Stop Water Coming Through Brick Walls

As bricks are porous, they’re capable of absorbing a significant amount of water. In some instances, damp masonry can cause the interior face of a wall to show signs of damp or even fungal mould. Furthermore, saturated brickwork could limit the stability of a wall. Due to this, it’s important to increase the water repellent properties of brickwork and stop water from coming through brick walls.

Has the Wall Been Treated?

To determine what type of product to use, you’ll need to visually inspect the wall. If the brickwork has been treated previously or painted, a liquid water repellent should be sufficient to stop water from being absorbed.

However, if the brick is exposed, you may want to use a product that’s capable of penetrating the wall to a deeper level. This provides added protection and can be used before a liquid water repellent is applied.

Remember – before applying any product, you should clean the brickwork and ensure it’s free from dust and debris. Similarly, any damage or signs of wear and tear, such as cracks or holes in the masonry, should be fully repaired before you seal the bricks.

Preventing Penetrating Damp

If the wall has not been treated, choose a breathable façade cream or sealant that will soak deep into the substrate and apply it to the exterior face of the wall. This has a thicker consistency than a liquid water repellent and can, therefore, penetrate the wall to a deeper level. If will reduce the ability of the bricks to absorb water and protect the building from damp.

Once this breathable sealant or façade cream has dried, you can also add a water repellent to enhance the level of protection. If the wall has already been treated or painted, you can skip this step and go straight to using a liquid water repellent.

Applying a Liquid Water Repellent

Liquid water repellents are also applied to the exterior face of the brickwork and can be ‘painted’ on using a brush or roller. Alternatively, larger areas can be covered using a spray machine. If applying more than one coat, be sure to let each coat dry completely.

Most water repellent products won’t visible once they’ve dried but it’s always advisable to test them out on a small patch of brickwork first. Similarly, the type of brickwork can affect which creams, sealants or repellents should be used, so be sure to verify this before you get started.