Every Brick Wall Should Be Waterproofed

We know this might be a contentious statement but consider the facts. Bricks are made by baking natural clays at high temperatures. This process locks in natural salts and drives out moisture leaving microscopic channels that run deep into the brick.

Once out of the oven, and exposed to weather, moisture can find its way back to dissolve the salts. The salt laden solution can then be drawn back to the surface, by osmosis, depositing the salts as unsightly efflorescence. Thus, most bricks are more or less porous and moisture prone and, as well as preventing salt deposition, there are many good reasons to treat brick walls with a permanent, fluorocarbon waterproofer as soon as possible after they are built. Masonry Clinic’s Flood Strength WATER SHIELD applies an invisible membrane that breathes out trapped moisture and locks out rain and damp preventing all the following problems:

In Winter any moisture in the brick can freeze and, by expansion, sheer off the face of the bricks and break open the joints.

Year round brick faces, when damp, can encourage organic growth such as algae, lichen and moss – which itself can trap more rainfall to rest on the surface setting up a vicious cycle.

Since water conducts heat damp walls are far less efficient at insulating the home. It has been calculated that dry walls can improve heat retention by up to 40%.

Airborne dust and dirt can collect in the tiny pores and channels in brick surfaces which, if filled by waterproofer, will remain cleaner.

Please note: Older brick surfaces will, if anything, benefit even more than new from waterproofing. Also, most of the advantages are also true for stone – especially when newly cut and laid.