Get matched with top stone and gravel pros in Scotland, SD

While painting can certainly change the look of a chimney, you should think twice about giving your brick chimney the old landlord special.

Painting brick is porous, meaning it’s full of tiny holes that can soak up moisture. Those holes also allow it to dry, though. So, when you paint it, you trap any moisture inside, providing an opportunity for mold, mildew, and water damage.

Paint also shows wear faster than naked brick. This means that once you paint a brick surface, you’ll have to keep painting it to maintain a clean look. A paint job is also harder to undo on brick because of its porous nature. Once you paint it, it’s hard to go back without some serious power washing—another added cost.

Yes! Hot glue is an excellent—and temporary—way to spread holiday cheer with Christmas lights without damaging your brick exterior.

Certain towns and homeowner associations (HOAs) ban brick mailboxes because of the risk of obstruction. They are sometimes only permitted in cases where four or more homes share a mailbox. Homeowners may need to obtain special permits in some locations. One of the top masonry contractor hiring tips is to ask a local pro if they can show you examples of recent work that meets local code regulations.

A traditional German schmear uses mortar, making it unsuitable for adherence to painted surfaces. Professionals recommend removing any existing paint before applying mortar. However, you can rough up the painted surface and clean it to test if the mortar will stick. Remember that the underlying paint's texture and color may affect the schmear's final appearance—so starting with a bare brick wall will ensure the ideal finish.