Brick Sealers – Water Based and Solvent Based Silane-Siloxane Sealers are Best for Sealer for Sealing Bricks

When it comes to brick sealers for traditional brick, you want a penetrating brick sealer like a Silane-Siloxane sealer to penetrate and repel water

When looking for a brick sealer for those red, Chicago-style brick clay pavers, you need to be aware that these bricks are very porous which is why only a few very specific types of brick sealers can be applied to them. The most popular type of brick sealer is a penetrating, silane-siloxane water repellent brick sealer like the Armor SX5000 and Armor SX5000 WB. The Armor SX5000 and Armor SX5000 WB chemically react below the surface of the brick to form a hydrophobic barrier within the pores that will reduce the absorption of water by up to 95%. By reducing water absorption of the brick, cracking, spalling, pitting, freeze-thaw damage, and mold growth is also reduced. These brick sealers will not change the look or color of the brick, and can last for up to 7-10 years before needing to be reapplied.

The difference between the Armor SX5000 and the Armor SX5000 WB is that the Armor SX5000 is a solvent-based silane-siloxane sealer and the Armor SX5000 WB is a water-based silane-siloxane sealer, both work great on bricks. While the life and performance of the brick sealers are the same, the application varies slightly. Water based brick sealers are typically easier to work with, easier to apply, and easier to clean-up simply because they are water-based. Solvent-based brick sealers will have a stronger odor and will require solvent-resistant application tools. The best sealer for your bricks will depend on your preference and comfort level of working with water-based sealers vs solvent-based sealers when sealing your bricks.

A third brick sealer that can be used to seal red clay brick, is the Armor WL550. The Armor WL550 is also a penetrating water repellent brick sealer that is designed to enhance the brick with a matte, wet look finish. It performs similarly to the Armor SX5000 and Armor SX5000 WB, and can last for up to 3-5 years before the need to be resealed.

Benefits of sealing brick with a professional grade brick sealer

• Brick sealers reduce damage and deterioration caused by water absorption.
• Brick sealers reduce damage caused by freeze-thaw cycles and de-icing salts.
• Brick sealers will help to reduce the growth of mold and mildew.
• Brick sealers will help to keep brick cleaner, longer.
• Brick sealers will help to reduce damage and deterioration to cement-based mortar.

Sealers to Avoid Using on Brick

Bricks are very porous and for that reason, the types of sealers that that can survive on brick are limited. If you are looking for a low to high gloss finish, you would have to use an acrylic sealer, but acrylic sealers can’t survive on brick. Subsurface water and moisture will build up in the pores and eventually cause the acrylic sealer to delaminate from the brick surface, turn white, and fail. If an acrylic sealer is applied to brick, it could fail immediately, or fail after a couple of months.

Now, if you are attempting to seal interior brick, or exterior brick that is located on a vertical wall, you may be able to use an acrylic sealer because subsurface water and moisture are no longer factors. You will need to apply the brick sealer to a test area to ensure project suitability and life.

How To Seal Brick With an Appropriate Brick Sealer

When it comes to sealing brick, the most important step next to specifying the proper brick sealer is surface preparation. You want to make sure the brick has been properly cleaned and allowed at least 24 hours to dry completely. In most cases, a pressure washer can be used to clean the brick, but if the brick is old, dirty, or hasn’t been sealed before, you may also need a cleaner like the Armor MSC100. Once the brick has been allowed to dry completely, you can proceed with following the directions including with the brick sealer.

If you are going to use a penetrating brick sealer like the Armor SX5000, Armor SX5000 WB, or Armor WL550, there are a few application tips that can help with proper sealing:

1. Apply the brick sealer in the late afternoon or early evening when air and surface temperatures are declining, and when the surface is cool to touch. This will help ensure proper penetration and reaction and help to reduce premature brick sealer evaporation.
2. Apply the brick sealer with a sprayer, like the 2-gallon Foundation Armor sprayer. Applying sealers to your brick with a sprayer will allow for consistent coverage. It will help to prevent under-application and over-application. Using a sprayer will also result in better coverage rates.
3. Once the brick sealer has been applied, keep the brick dry for at least 24 hours. This will allow the brick sealer to properly penetrate and react with the brick.

Re-Applying Brick Sealer

If your brick has been previously sealed, it could determine what brick sealer you need to use during reapplication, and when you can reseal your brick.

If your previous brick sealer was a water repellent sealer, and it has been a few years since the brick sealer was applied, you can recoat the brick with a Silane-Siloxane sealer so long as the brick no longer beads water, and water is quickly and easily absorbed into the bricks surface. If you are unsure if it is safe to seal, it is best to contact a Foundation Armor technician first. Brick that has been previously sealed with a water repellent brick sealer can also be resealed with a paint or coating, so long as the brick no longer beads water, and water is quickly and easily absorbed into the bricks surface. You will also want to check with the paint or coating manufacturer as to what their guidelines are when it comes to applying their product over a surface previously sealed brick with a penetrating brick sealer.

Sealing Brick Bed and Joint Mortar With Brick Sealer

Penetrating brick sealers like the Armor SX5000, Armor SX5000 WB, and Armor WL550 can be applied to both brick, and cement-based mortar. If you are using a paint or coating, it is best to refer to the manufacturer of the paint or coating before applying.

Brick Sealers – Zero Compromise Quality – Virgin, Non-Recycled Resins, Make a difference in the Finish and Longevity of Your Brick Driveway, Walkway, or Patio, Surface

Not all brick sealers are created equal. At Foundation Armor we painstakingly formulate our line of brick sealers to the most demanding of specifications. It’s why all our water-based and solvent based brick sealers, from those used on driveways, to patio and walkways, to pool decks and patios are professional, industrial grade sealers. Simply put, we manufacture one formula for each application type and finish, the best. Whether you are a homeowner, commercial property owner, general contractor, or facility manager, our brick sealers will perform for years to come because they are engineered, formulated, and manufactured to stand the test of time in the most environmentally demanding, and heavily trafficked areas of your home of business. Why do our brick sealers outperform many others in the field and last longer and stay truer to color? You got it, Zero Compromise Quality.

Our brick sealers are formulated to the highest standards because we understand you don’t want this going wrong, having to strip and reapply brick sealer, especially those formulated for driveways, can be a messy, time consuming, and expensive job, so the formula is critical in making a brick sealer that is consistent, will stand the test of time, won’t yellow or discolor in short order, and won’t require an immediate strip and reseal. One of the key components that only a few manufacturers use, less even mention, are the use of virgin resins, also known as non-recycled resins. We use the most pure, virgin resins in our formulations so that our sealers stand the test of time and won’t yellow or discolor as you often see on brick surfaces. Many brick sealer manufacturers that provide products in the lower end of the market to meet price points some customers require, use recycled resins to lower the cost, if you are on a budget and a little risk is worth the savings, than these products can be your only option. If you want to get a finish that is the most durable, and true to color, the use of virgin resins is critical, recycled resins although inexpensive, have imperfections in the formulation that lend them to greater deviations in these metrics. For those who want to have a premium finish, one that they can be proud of and will stand the test of time, choose a brick sealer that is formulated with virgin, non-recycled resins.

PROTECT IT WITH FOUNDATION ARMOR