Why Is It So Important To Waterproof Masonry And Brick?

When damp has penetrated masonry and brickwork, it can be extremely difficult to remedy, that’s why it’s so important to try and prevent this from happening in the first instance.

Fortunately, with a combination of waterproof façade creams and masonry waterproofing paint, you can create a robust but invisible barrier between the elements and the exterior of your home.

Let’s look at this in a little more detail:

Why waterproofing masonry and bricks is so important

Bricks and mortar are never 100% waterproof, and even homes using the latest techniques and modern materials, can still suffer from damp that has seeped in from outside. Too much damp within brick and stonework can cause significant internal damage and black mould – a nasty problem that can be very harmful to our health.

Over time, if the problem is ignored, external pollutants found in the atmosphere and in rain, for example, can affect your home in a number of harmful ways, such as corrosion, algae and lichen growth, loss of structural integrity, and damage to any timber present. Each of these concerns are serious and should be addressed immediately to protect the building.

What methods are used to waterproof brickwork and stone walls?

Ultimately, it’s vital to repair the root cause of penetrating damp as soon as you spot it in your home, and treating brick or stonework with any kind of wall paints, can only be done once the faults, cracks or faulty mortar have been fixed.

Assuming the structural integrity of your walls is sound, you can then use a waterproof façade cream, which will protect it against driving rain, frost damage and external pollutants.

If in doubt as to the condition of your walls and their structural integrity, you can consult with a stonemason before choosing a product to waterproof them.

What is a waterproof façade cream?

Water repellent creams can be applied to exposed brick or unpainted render to protect them from water penetration for as long as 30 years, and work by the cream’s active ingredients being absorbed into the brick or stone. Lining the capillaries of the masonry, the cream reduces the absorption of water and gives it invisible but long-lasting protection against water penetration. Such creams still allow walls to breathe, so that any damp already trapped within them, can evaporate, allowing the wall to dry out.

Alternatively, you could use a masonry water repellent, which is designed to cover larger areas, and which offers repellence for up to 15 years. It’s important to note that this level of water resistance is not as effective as waterproofing creams, which give much longer protection to walls in just a single coat.

Protecting walls from the enduring effects of penetrating damp, is something all building owners should take seriously, and fortunately, if your walls are in good condition, you can apply a waterproof façade cream or paint, right away. However, if penetrating damp has already become a problem, you’ll need to have the root cause of the problem fixed before any such sealants or paints can be applied.