7 Common Mistakes People Make Painting Brick in St. Louis, MO
7 Common Mistakes People Make Painting Brick in St. Louis, MO
Decor trends come and go just like fashion and our homes are not exempt from this flux.
The brick facade or accents that were once beautiful in your grandmother’s home may be outdated or even unsightly now and you are wanting to cover the whole thing with a fresh coat of paint.
Brick comes with a small list of issues that can make painting a headache for both homeowner and home seller.
In order to avoid that headache, consider these seven common mistakes people make painting brick in St. Louis, MO.
1.Skipping the prep
Brick is a material that was not designed to be painted but it can be (and done well) if the proper steps are taken.
Masonry is porous and any moisture within the walls will be trapped by the paint, which can lead to issues with mildew and mold.
You should always check for a chalky buildup and wait a couple of weeks after cleaning to be sure it does not return before painting because that can be a sign of moisture in the brick.
2. Covering up blemishes
While cracks and slight crumbling could be less noticeable with a coat of paint, that paint can also prevent the issues from being fixable.
Removing paint from brick is time-consuming, expensive, and risky because the methods used can cause further damage to the masonry.
Fix any existing issues in the brick first before thinking about adding a cover-up coat of paint.
3. Choosing the wrong applicators
Rollers can save you time when painting a larger space, but the uneven texture of brick can chew through the soft surface of a roller head.
Choose a sturdy, synthetic bristle brush for your brick job in order to avoid burning out your rollers (and your wallet) with the wrong tool.
Also, brushes will be able to provide a smoother finish as the bristles can reach into the variations of the brick’s surface with better dexterity.
4. Not waiting long enough
Painting new brick is a recipe for disaster as the surface hasn’t had time to cure and could cause your paint to not adhere.
Give your brick a few weeks after install to rest before choosing to add a layer of paint.
This downtime can provide the opportunity for other prep steps and/or getting the surrounding area prepped and painted.
5. Leaving it for years
Painting brick is an option that requires biannual maintenance to prevent chipping, cracking, and peeling.
As we mentioned before, brick was not designed for a paint, so you will have to keep a close eye to be sure that there is no weather damage or residual wear and tear in high traffic areas.
Be sure to keep a gallon of your paint set aside for minor touch-ups on the fly.
6. Sealing the problem
Paint can seal a surface — think about the last time you tried to open a window that’s been painted shut.
To avoid this seal keeping in any below-the-surface problems, have your brick inspected for any issues with mold, mildew, or common house pests before applying your paint.
The last thing you want is to prevent an issue from being detectable as it rages under the surface.
7. Painting for flipping
Lastly, even a flawless paint job can decrease your property value.
Be sure that you are making the right decision for the foreseeable future before opting to paint.
You might be making things more pleasing to the eye but you might be hurting your chances of resale in the process.
We would love the opportunity to be your go-to exterior painter in St. Louis, MO. Call us at 314-582-5272 to book a FREE estimate, and let us help you enhance the interior of your home so you can focus on other things.
Related: 7 Tips For Painting Interior Brick Surfaces in St. Louis, MO
