Get matched with top masons in Stilwell, OK

The premise for painting a brick building is fairly simple: Prime the bricks to seal the surface and apply the top coat to protect your brick home. However, it’s easy to miss a few important steps if you’re starting from a raw brick surface and don’t know the basics of how to paint brick. So be sure to reach out to a local professional painter if you have any reservations about correctly painting your brick house.

For most brick cleaning jobs, including fireplace bricks, use a masonry sponge and a gentle cleaner. A simple solution of equal parts water and vinegar, or a few drops of dish soap in a bowl of water, can effectively remove grime. For tougher stains, you can use a dedicated masonry or fireplace cleaner. It is crucial to wet the bricks thoroughly with water before applying any cleaning solution to prevent the brick from absorbing it, and to rinse the surface completely afterward. Harsher cleaners containing bleach or ammonia should only be used as a last resort, and they should never be mixed together.

Yes, it is essential to prime or seal a brick fireplace before painting. Brick is a porous and highly absorbent material, so without a primer, paint can seep into the surface, resulting in uneven coverage and allowing the natural brick color to show through. To avoid this, apply one or two coats of a masonry primer. The primer will seal the brick and provide a smooth, uniform layer for the paint to adhere to. Ensure the primer is completely dry before applying the topcoat of paint.

In most cases, painting your brick house is a fine idea that can open up new aesthetic possibilities. However, the paint can slightly shorten the life span of brick, especially if moisture gets trapped underneath the paint layer. Once you paint, you’ll have to keep up with maintenance to avoid flaking and blisters.