You've had your brickwork repointed.
The old, weathered mortar has been removed, defective joints have been repaired and the elevation looks considerably better.
The next question is often:
"Can we now protect the brickwork from the weather?"
Potentially, yes.
In fact, repointing and breathable masonry protection can complement each other extremely well when they're specified appropriately.
But there's an important word in that sentence:
After.
Newly installed mortar needs sufficient time to cure, the masonry needs to be appropriately prepared, and any remaining defects need to be dealt with before applying a masonry protection system.
The principle we follow is straightforward:
Repair → Cure → Prepare → Protect
And this isn't simply our preference. ProPERLA's current Masonry Crème product data specifically instructs applicators to check for damaged or missing mortar, repair cracking and missing mortar with a suitable system, and allow the mortar to completely cure before application.
For Leicester homeowners considering protecting older brickwork, getting this sequence right can be just as important as choosing the product itself.
🧱 Why Is Repointing Important Before Masonry Protection?
Mortar joints form an important part of a masonry elevation.
Over time, mortar can deteriorate through:
- Weather exposure
- Repeated wetting and drying
- Frost
- Age
- Building movement
- Inappropriate previous repairs
You may begin seeing:
Open joints
Missing mortar
Cracking
Loose sections
Weathered joints
If those defects are allowing rainwater into the wall, applying masonry protection without repairing them first doesn't address the complete problem.
Think of masonry protection as exactly that:
Protection—not structural repair.
🌧️ Why Does Defective Pointing Matter?
An external wall has to manage considerable weather exposure.
During wind-driven rain, water isn't simply falling vertically onto the roof.
Wind can push rain directly against exposed elevations.
If mortar joints are badly deteriorated, those defects may provide easier pathways for water to enter the wall.
The answer isn't to coat over the defects.
The wall should first be put into an appropriate condition.
ProPERLA's own specification requires damaged or missing mortar and cracking to be repaired before Masonry Crème is installed.
🛠️ Should You Repoint Before Applying ProPERLA?
Where pointing is defective and requires replacement, yes—the repairs should be completed first.
That allows us to address the underlying condition of the masonry before adding the protective treatment.
The sequence becomes:
1. Inspect the elevation
2. Identify defects
3. Repair defective masonry and pointing
4. Allow repairs to cure
5. Clean and prepare the substrate
6. Allow it to dry appropriately
7. Apply the specified protection
This is considerably more logical than applying protection and then disturbing the treated elevation to carry out repointing afterwards.
⏱️ How Long After Repointing Can ProPERLA Be Applied?
This is where we shouldn't give every property the same arbitrary number of days.
The official ProPERLA Masonry Crème data sheet doesn't simply say "wait X days."
It says:
Allow the mortar to completely cure.
The appropriate curing period can depend on factors such as:
- Mortar type
- Repair depth
- Weather
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Exposure
- Substrate condition
So the correct question isn't simply:
"Has it been seven days?"
It's:
"Is the repair suitably cured and is the substrate ready for the next stage?"
❌ Why Shouldn't You Apply Masonry Protection Straight Over Fresh Mortar?
Because fresh mortar is still going through its curing process.
Rushing the protective treatment means you're ignoring the preparation requirements of the system.
A professional installation shouldn't be driven simply by getting the job finished as quickly as possible.
If we've just repaired an elevation, we want those repairs to establish properly before progressing.
The protection system should be the final stage of a properly prepared elevation, rather than something used to hide unfinished or defective masonry.
🧱 What About Old Brickwork?
Older brickwork can potentially be an excellent candidate for breathable masonry protection.
Age alone doesn't make an elevation unsuitable.
But older walls need to be assessed individually.
We might consider:
- Brick condition
- Mortar condition
- Porosity
- Previous repairs
- Cracking
- Spalled bricks
- Previous coatings
- Salt contamination
- Rainwater exposure
- Existing moisture sources
A 100-year-old brick wall and a modern brick elevation shouldn't automatically be treated as though they're identical.
🧱 Does Weathered Brick Need Repairing Too?
Potentially.
Repointing the joints doesn't automatically mean every brick is in good condition.
Some elevations may contain:
- Spalled bricks
- Cracked bricks
- Damaged faces
- Failed previous repairs
- Open service penetrations
Significant defects should be assessed before protection is installed.
Again:
Protecting a defective wall doesn't remove the defect.
ProPERLA's approved-applicator guidance specifically includes remedial repairs and professional surface preparation before installation.
🧹 Why Is Surface Preparation So Important?
Even perfectly sound brickwork may not be ready for treatment immediately.
External masonry can accumulate:
- Dirt
- Atmospheric contamination
- Moss
- Algae
- Lichen
- Organic growth
The ProPERLA Masonry Crème data sheet instructs installers to wash the wall using a low-pressure power washer to remove contamination, moss and lichen as far as possible, then allow the wall to dry.
Where moss, mould or fungal growth has been present, ProPERLA also specifies its cleaning solution as part of the preparation process.
Preparation isn't an optional extra.
It's part of the system.
💧 Does The Wall Need To Be Dry?
The wall should be appropriately dry and prepared for application.
That doesn't mean masonry somehow has to contain absolutely zero moisture.
Building materials naturally interact with moisture.
But we wouldn't want to apply a protective treatment to a visibly saturated elevation while ignoring why it's wet.
If a wall is excessively wet, we first need to ask:
Where is that moisture coming from?
Possible sources include:
- Defective gutters
- Leaking downpipes
- Cracked masonry
- Failed pointing
- High ground levels
- Plumbing leaks
- Roof defects
- Persistent rainwater penetration
A protective treatment should never become a substitute for identifying an active defect.
🌡️ Weather Conditions Matter Too
Even if the masonry itself is ready, the weather on application day matters.
ProPERLA's current application specification gives a minimum application temperature of 5°C and a maximum relative humidity of 80%. It specifically states that Masonry Crème shouldn't be applied below 5°C.
That's another reason exterior masonry treatment shouldn't simply be booked for any convenient day regardless of conditions.
The application environment matters.
💦 What Does ProPERLA Masonry Crème Actually Do?
ProPERLA Masonry Crème is designed for suitable bare mineral substrates such as:
- Brick
- Stone
- Concrete
It penetrates into the masonry rather than simply leaving a conventional decorative film over the surface.
According to ProPERLA's current technical information, Masonry Crème can penetrate up to 17mm into the masonry, is highly breathable and creates a super-hydrophobic surface.
In simple terms, the aim is to make the masonry highly resistant to liquid water absorption while still allowing water vapour movement.
💧 What Does "Super-Hydrophobic" Mean?
Hydrophobic means water-repellent.
Super-hydrophobic describes a surface that very strongly repels liquid water.
Once properly treated, rainwater tends to form droplets on the masonry rather than readily soaking into the pore structure.
That's very different from simply wrapping the building in an impermeable plastic layer.
And that's where breathability becomes particularly important.
🌬️ Why Do We Want Masonry Protection To Remain Breathable?
Masonry walls need to manage moisture in both directions.
The objective isn't simply:
"Stop everything getting through the wall."
We want to reduce the amount of liquid rainwater entering suitable porous masonry while retaining the ability for water vapour to move through the material.
ProPERLA reports independent water-vapour testing to BS EN ISO 7783 and BS EN ISO 12572 for Masonry Crème.
Its current brochure describes the treatment as having little effect on moisture escaping through treated masonry compared with film-forming sealing products.
This is one reason we distinguish a breathable masonry treatment from simply applying a generic "waterproof paint."
🧱 Does ProPERLA Seal The Pores Of The Brick?
ProPERLA describes Masonry Crème as penetrating into the mineral substrate and lining the pore structure rather than creating a conventional film across the surface.
This allows the treated surface to repel liquid water while retaining vapour movement.
That's particularly relevant when we're dealing with existing masonry.
We want protection that works with the moisture behaviour of the wall, rather than unnecessarily trapping moisture behind a dense surface layer.
🌧️ Can It Help With Penetrating Damp?
On an appropriate wall, reducing rainwater absorption can form part of preventing or resolving rain-related moisture problems.
But there's an important distinction.
Imagine a Leicester property has:
- A leaking gutter
- Missing mortar
- Cracked brickwork
- Defective flashing
Applying masonry protection while leaving those defects untouched isn't good diagnosis.
ProPERLA itself states that preparation and remedial repairs should be completed before installation.
So our approach is:
Diagnose → Repair → Prepare → Protect
Not:
Wet wall → Coat everything.
🧱 What If The Wall Has Just Been Fully Repointed?
This can actually provide a good opportunity to assess future protection.
The elevation has already received significant maintenance.
Once the new mortar is properly cured, we can assess:
- Overall masonry condition
- Remaining defects
- Substrate absorbency
- Cleanliness
- Moisture condition
- Suitability for treatment
If everything is appropriate, breathable masonry protection may then form the final stage.
⚒️ What About Lime Mortar?
This deserves particular consideration on older buildings.
Not every wall should automatically be repointed using the same mortar.
Traditional masonry may contain softer bricks or stone and historically appropriate lime-based mortars.
The repair material should be compatible with the existing construction.
This is especially important because we don't want to improve rainwater resistance while introducing inappropriate, overly hard repairs that alter how an older wall behaves.
The pointing specification comes before the protective coating specification.
🏛️ What About Listed Or Historic Buildings?
Historic buildings require additional consideration.
Before applying any treatment, we may need to consider:
- Original materials
- Heritage significance
- Existing finishes
- Conservation requirements
- Listed-building controls
- Local authority requirements
- Suitability of the proposed treatment
A product being breathable doesn't automatically mean it should be applied to every historic building.
Suitability and permissions still matter.
🎨 Will ProPERLA Change The Appearance Of The Brickwork?
ProPERLA Masonry Crème is a clear treatment.
Interestingly, it appears white when initially applied, but then cures clear.
ProPERLA states that the product doesn't alter the colour or appearance of suitable masonry once cured.
This makes it particularly interesting where homeowners want to retain the appearance of exposed brick or stone rather than apply a coloured exterior coating.
🧱 Can It Be Applied Over Painted Brickwork?
This is another important distinction.
ProPERLA's current guidance states that Masonry Crème and Water Repellent are intended for untreated absorbent surfaces.
For previously painted surfaces, ProPERLA identifies its Exterior Façade Coating as the appropriate product category, subject to preparation and suitability.
So we shouldn't simply assume every external wall requires the same ProPERLA product.
The existing substrate determines the system.
🧪 What Does The Testing Say?
According to ProPERLA's published technical information, Masonry Crème has undergone independent testing for areas including:
- Water repellency
- Breathability
- Durability
- Hygrothermal performance
ProPERLA reports a reduction in water absorption of up to 96.3% in its published material.
It also reports testing relating to water-vapour diffusion and resistance, including BS EN ISO 7783 and BS EN ISO 12572.
These are manufacturer-published claims based on the testing it cites, rather than a guarantee that every treated building will achieve an identical real-world result.
🏠 Can Keeping Brickwork Drier Help The Building Fabric?
Reducing unnecessary rainwater absorption can help limit repeated wetting of exposed masonry.
That's particularly relevant because repeated exposure to moisture and weathering can contribute to deterioration over time.
But again, protection works best when the masonry itself is already in serviceable condition.
A wall with defective pointing doesn't become well maintained simply because a water-repellent treatment has been applied.
🧂 What About Efflorescence?
White salt deposits on external masonry can occur when soluble salts are transported by moisture and deposited as that moisture evaporates.
If significant efflorescence is present, the first question should be:
Why is moisture moving through the masonry?
ProPERLA's own published guidance makes the same fundamental point: if the source of moisture isn't dealt with, efflorescence can continue.
Again, diagnosis comes before treatment.
🧱 Why We Don't Believe In "Just Spray It"
Masonry protection is only as good as the substrate it's being applied to.
A proper assessment should consider:
- Brick condition
- Mortar condition
- Cracking
- Pointing
- Previous coatings
- Render
- Gutters
- Downpipes
- Ground levels
- Window details
- Existing moisture problems
- Previous repairs
- Surface contamination
- Porosity
- Exposure
Only then can we decide whether a protective system is appropriate.
🔍 What We Check Before Applying Masonry Protection
At Weather Wise Solutions Limited, depending on the property, we may assess:
Brickwork condition
Mortar joints
Cracking
Spalled masonry
Previous coatings
Rainwater goods
Ground levels
Moisture patterns
Existing penetrating damp
Previous repairs
Surface contamination
Masonry porosity
Exposure to wind-driven rain
If repointing is required, that work should come first.
Then the mortar needs to cure.
Then the wall is prepared.
Then, where appropriate, it's protected.
🛡️ Why Use A ProPERLA Approved Applicator?
ProPERLA states that its approved applicators receive specialist training covering the correct preparation and application procedures.
Its approved-applicator process specifically includes remedial repairs, cleaning and preparation before installation, and only approved applicators can issue the official manufacturer's guarantee.
Weather Wise Solutions Limited is a ProPERLA partner, allowing us to combine our damp and building-moisture knowledge with the correct preparation and application of the ProPERLA system.
🎓 Understanding The Wall Before Protecting It
Exterior masonry problems don't exist independently from the rest of the building.
Rainwater penetration can interact with:
- Damp
- Salt contamination
- Internal finishes
- Timber
- Condensation
- Thermal performance
Our surveying team includes professionals holding industry-recognised qualifications including the Level 3 Award in Damp, Mould and Condensation in Buildings (L3 Award DMCB), the Certified Surveyor of Timber & Dampness in Buildings (CSTDB) and the City & Guilds-recognised Federation of Damp Certified Surveyor (FODCS) qualification.
Not every member of the surveying team necessarily holds every qualification, but collectively these qualifications help us approach masonry protection from the perspective of building moisture diagnosis, rather than simply treating the outside appearance.
🏡 So, Can You Apply Masonry Protection After Repointing?
Yes—potentially, and it can be a very logical sequence.
But don't rush from fresh pointing directly into masonry treatment.
The correct process is:
1. Assess
Understand the wall and identify defects.
2. Repair
Repoint defective joints and repair appropriate masonry defects.
3. Cure
Allow the new mortar to completely cure in accordance with the relevant system requirements.
4. Prepare
Clean the masonry, deal with contamination and allow the substrate to reach an appropriate condition.
5. Protect
Apply the specified breathable masonry protection under suitable conditions.
That's a far better approach than trying to use a protective coating to compensate for defective masonry underneath it.
Repair → Cure → Prepare → Protect.
📞 Repointing Or Masonry Protection In Leicester?
If your Leicester home has weathered brickwork, deteriorated pointing or problems with rainwater absorption, Weather Wise Solutions Limited can assess the elevation and determine what work should come first.
Our services include:
- Repointing
- Brickwork repairs
- External wall repairs
- Penetrating damp investigations
- ProPERLA Masonry Crème
- Breathable masonry protection
- Render repairs
- Damp investigations
We're proud members of the Damp Proofing Association and Federation of Damp, and a ProPERLA partner.
Good masonry protection starts with good masonry preparation.