How to Paint a Brick House: 5 Steps to Getting a Flawless Façade

You’ve opted to go for it, so now you need to clean and prep your home’s exterior for painting.

Scrub off debris and dust with a soft-bristle brush or broom. Then, use a soapy detergent solution to clean away any dirt and grease. Using a power washer speeds up the process and removes any loose mortar, but don’t get too close, linger in one area for too long, or use the power washer on a high setting. Doing so could damage your brick house by causing the bricks to break or crumble. It could also negatively impact the mortar joints, rendering your home structurally unsound. 

Sometimes, moisture results in the brickwork developing a thin crystal-like layer of deposits on the surface known as efflorescence. You can use an efflorescence-removing salt treatment to clear this away quickly and easily.

Additionally, you may want to use a fungicidal wash to remove any existing mold and mildew. Rinse well with clean water after treating and washing your brick.

After you clean the brick, wait for a few days to let it fully dry out so that moisture doesn’t get trapped when you paint. A dry surface also means the paint will adhere to the surface.

You may need to repoint bricks—a.k.a. replace the mortar—if any of the mortar has fallen off or eroded. Otherwise, this type of damage makes the brick more susceptible to moisture infiltration. You can make any minor repairs by adding masonry filler or acrylic caulk between bricks where the mortar has fallen out.

Keep in mind that both caulk and masonry filler will need around a week to cure before you can do anything else with your brick. Any major repointing or repairing is often best left to the pros.

Once you’ve waited for your makeshift mortar to cure fully, don’t just jump into the next step. Check your forecast before you start applying primer, and make sure the weather will be dry for the next few days. You cannot apply paint or primer to wet brick because neither will adhere properly and could trap moisture inside.

If your brickwork, old or new, doesn’t already have a seal or paint primer, this is a must-do job. Primer helps keep moisture out and provides a smoother finish and better adhesion. You also won’t need to apply so much paint because the brick won’t absorb as much. If water doesn’t bead on the surface of the brick when you spray it, the brick likely hasn't had a primer treatment.

Choose a high-quality masonry primer for the job, which tends to have a thin consistency that absorbs well and offers good alkaline resistance. Use a paint sprayer for the quickest application, but if you’re not confident in your spraying skills, a high-nap paint roller will also do the trick. You may need to apply more than one coat in areas that collect mildew or have excessive efflorescence buildup.

Let your primer dry fully before moving on. Waiting 24 hours is typically a safe bet, but your can of primer should have more specific instructions.

Because of brick's porous nature, you’ll need high-quality, breathable, weather-resistant masonry paint to prevent moisture from getting trapped.

Elastomeric and premium acrylic latex paints with a life span guarantee of at least 10 years are a good choice of brick paint. When in doubt, visit a store with an in-house expert who can advise you on the best brand, finish, and type of paint for your situation. Select an exterior paint color and finish that speaks to you and your home’s aesthetic. Be sure to keep local homeowners association (HOA) painting guidelines in mind before buying.

Using a paint sprayer is the fastest option for large surface areas over most of your home’s siding. However, getting the right spray painting technique can be tricky for beginners. If you fall into that camp, using rollers with a high nap (at least half an inch) can give you a better finish on highly textured surfaces. On large areas of textured brick, apply a coat with the sprayer, and then go over it with a roller to get into the crevices and cracks. Apply two or three coats of paint for an even finish and extra durability, and wait at least four hours for the paint to dry before you go in with a second coat if you need one. You don’t have to add a second coat, but if you feel like you can still see some of the brick showing through or your finish isn’t as smooth as you’d like it, adding another coat will do the trick.