Sealing of exterior bricks

Hi All, We are in the process of having an exterior wall of our town house cleaned and repointed. The contractor is recommending that we also have the bricks sealed with a silicone product. Anyone have experience with this? Is this ok for old bricks and is it worth it? Thanks!

anonymous

in Facade and Brownstone Repair 12 years and 8 months ago

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xistent | 12 years and 8 months ago

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Our brick back wall (sadly) was coated with Thoroseal years ago. I think it’s Thoroseal & not Thorocoat…..whichever is the harder more permanent bond. Does this allow the brick to breathe? It’s due to be redone and since it’s there and nearly impossible to remove, we thought we should just redo the thorocoat. Is this the way to go?

pigthree | 12 years and 8 months ago

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http://www.oldlouisville.com/circa1900/brick-structures.htm

slvillager | 12 years and 8 months ago

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can anyone recommend a good contractor for repointing? thought i’d ask since this thread seems to have some views of people that have done it. we are on the end of a group of brownstones and have an entire side that needs a look. would like someone who works with an engineer. TIA!

brooklynbemused | 12 years and 8 months ago

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I had the front of my house rebuilt with brick and it was sealed when it was completed. After about 4 years, I started getting leaks into the house and they were cured by resealing the bricks. So, IMHO, repointing is sufficient if you have good bricks. If you have crappy bricks (which it turns out that I do) then you might need to reseal. Bear in mind that if you do this, you will have to continue to do so every few years to maintain the moisture barrier.

ayman | 12 years and 8 months ago

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NOT recommeded at all. above person is correct. brick needs to breathe, otherwise brick will deteriorate. why would the contractor recommend sealing it with silicone product? people usually use a sealer for interior bricks to get a nicer, cleaner look.

Chachacheech | 12 years and 8 months ago

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I am not an expert but my expert contractor told me that bricks should not be sealed that they need to breathe. Pointing is the important thing to do.