A beautifully painted house can boost the curb appeal of your property. Changing the color or tone can freshen up all the walls, even with traditionally brick-built houses.
If you have a brick house, you may have grown tired of the naturally colored bricks and want to make a change. Adding a layer of paint certainly has the power to transform the exteriors of your house. However, before you get out the painting equipment, take a quick look at these four things to consider before painting your brick house.
Painted Brick Isn’t Just for Christmas
Brick differs significantly from other surfaces, in that once you have applied a coat of paint, it is almost impossible to go back to the original color. Removing paint from brick is a costly job that will need to be done by professionals. It may involve using chemicals and still may not completely remove the original coat.
Therefore, you need to be absolutely sure that you are happy with your chosen color before going ahead with the job.
Extra Maintenance Costs
Unpainted brick is a durable material that requires minimal maintenance. However, once you paint it, things change from day one. As the paintwork gets exposed to the elements, it will start to degrade. This means that you will need to apply new coats regularly if you want to keep your house exteriors looking fresh.
One of the easiest ways to do that is by pressure washing the walls. This is a quick way to remove any dirt or mildew build-up. You will either need to purchase a pressure washer or get a professional contractor to do it for you. As such, the additional time and money costs are something you should consider before choosing to paint exterior walls.
Age Is a Consideration
Whether you should or should not paint the exteriors will depend on the age of the housing bricks. Newer brickwork will need time to bed in and shouldn’t really be painted. During this time, alkali from the mortar and white powder (efflorescence) will leach out of the brick and onto the surface layer. These substances can cause the paint to degrade more quickly than usual, leading to more maintenance.
If you are planning to paint older surfaces, you will need to do a thorough inspection of the bricks before starting the painting job. Any damaged brick surfaces will need to be taken care of, and you will need to give the existing surfaces a deep clean.
Consider the Weather
Brick is a sturdy and reliable building material, but it is also porous, absorbing some moisture when wet. If you paint the brick when it is wet, you run the risk of trapping water within the brick structures. This will lead to paint chipping and can also cause damage to the bricks themselves.
If you live in an area that sees a lot of rain, speak to a professional before going ahead with the job, as choosing the right paint, along with thorough preparation, will be required.