Painting over exterior brick walls should be done with very careful consideration and planning. This process is very difficult, time-consuming, and is not easy to remove once completed. Before deciding to paint your home’s exterior brick walls, there are a few things you should know.
What to Do Before Painting
As you already know, the right paint can bring new life to your home. However, when painting brick, it is vital that you are very happy with the color you chose to paint your exterior walls. Removing paint from brick walls is extraordinarily difficult, and sometimes impossible.
You should also consider that, in order to keep the color looking fresh and vibrant, you are most likely going to have to repaint the brick approximately every three years.
Lastly, your brick needs to be in good shape. Otherwise, the paint is susceptible to cracking and chipping. If your brick is damaged, it will need to be repaired before painting.
How to Prep
You should begin by thoroughly cleaning your brick with soapy water and a bristled brush, or a by using a power washer. If using a power washer, follow the instructions on how to use it on brick surfaces in order to avoid damaging the brick. You may also need to use more heavy-duty cleaners such as diluted bleach and trisodium phosphate in order to remove imperfections and harmful materials.
After cleaning, allow your brick to dry for one full day before painting.
Staining Brick
You might also be interested in staining your brick rather than painting it. Staining the brick allows the texture of the brick to stand out, and offers better longevity as it does not peel. If you are interested in staining your brick exterior walls, your best bet would be to hire a professional painting service. However, it is possible to do it yourself if you would prefer.
If you have any further questions or concerns regarding painting your home, feel free to contact Noel Painting for assistance.
