Painting bricks is a current trend for homeowners and business owners. A nice fresh coat of paint can give your interior a new look. For multiple reasons, many people might decide that it is time to change things up and add in new wall color. Although painting bricks can be aesthetically pleasing, there are few things to consider before doing so.

Moisture Can Cause Damage

Like most surfaces, if excessive moisture is applied, damage can occur. The chipping of bricks can happen when moisture is excessively applied. This is especially common in brick interiors that are painted. It can also result in multiple repaints of certain areas and whole repaints to keep the interior looking fresh.

Constant Maintenance

Painting brick is different than painting a regular wall. Brick painting can result in increased cost and maintenance. If the bricks are newer, they might not require much upkeep. However, if they are older and not in good shape, you might want to reconsider the idea. Bricks have pores that allow for paint moisture to go through them. With that said, paint also covers these pores, and with the moisture having nowhere to escape, damage can be caused. Water damage can occur with bricks. This is especially harmful to older bricks as they can easily deteriorate quickly.

Painting Brick is Permanent

Once you decide to paint brick, there is no turning back. Unless you decide to replace the interior entirely, you will not be able to go back to the same traditional brick look. If you decide to take the chance and paint your interior, understand that it is not cheap to remove paint from brick. However, you can paint over brick as many times as you like. If you get bored of one color, you can always switch it up.

Not All Brick Can Be Painted

If your brick interior was newly built, painting it before the brick can fully weather is not the best decision. It is necessary to wait until mortar has time to fully develop. Waiting at least a year after construction for the brick interior to be painted is wise for ideal results. If you are pondering the idea of painting the inside of your fireplace, think twice about it. When a fireplace is active, the paint can be instantly covered with dust and might not even withstand the fire. Since paint is permanent, this might require more maintenance and frequent paint jobs to keep up with the appearance.

Using a Sealer and Primer

When it is time to begin a project, it is easy to get anxious and skip over vital instructions. Using a masonry sealer is the first step in painting your interior brick. A layer of the sealer should be applied entirely to the designated painting area and allowed to dry for half a day. A masonry primer is the next step to protect from cracking.

Applying the Right Paint

The fun part about a paint job is getting started. However, it is necessary to double-check you are using the right paint before getting started. Using masonry paint for brick painting can provide extra protection from cracking. This paint is designed to help achieve your desired finished look.

Calling in a Professional

There is a lot to consider when preparing to paint your interior brick. If not done correctly, there can be many issues that arise during and after. With the need to be attentive, it may be necessary to call in a professional to complete the project. A professional from Turnbull Masonry can help assist in the proper care for your bricks and help you determine if painting them is feasible.