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The Problem with Painted Brick Walls Advice for Homes in Worcester

 

🧱 Why Painting Over Brickwork Can Cause Damp

In Worcester, especially in Victorian and Edwardian terraces, it’s common to see houses with their external brickwork painted over — often to tidy up weathered bricks or modernise an old façade.

But what many homeowners don’t realise is this: painting over brick walls with non-breathable paints can trap moisture inside the walls, leading to penetrating damp, blown render, and internal mould growth.


💧 What Happens When Bricks Can't Breathe?

Bricks are naturally breathable. They allow moisture — both from rain and internal condensation — to evaporate through the wall’s surface. When you seal that surface with plastic-based masonry paint or waterproof coatings, you stop the wall from drying out properly.

This can result in:

  • Blistering or flaking paint

  • Damp patches on internal walls

  • Efflorescence (white salts) on the brickwork

  • Crumbling mortar joints

  • Fungal decay in joist ends embedded in the wall

In Worcester’s older housing stock — particularly in areas like St John's, Diglis and Barbourne — this is a frequent cause of avoidable damp problems.


🔍 How to Spot the Signs

If your painted brick wall is showing any of the following, it may be a sign of trapped moisture:

  • Horizontal or vertical hairline cracks

  • Paint bubbling after rainfall

  • Damp patches inside, especially on external-facing walls

  • Skirting boards warping or timbers softening near external walls

  • White salts bleeding through painted finishes


🛠️ What Are the Alternatives?

  1. Remove the Paint
    Where practical, carefully removing non-breathable paint can allow brickwork to dry out again. This must be done by a professional to avoid damaging the brick surface.

  2. Apply a Breathable Coating
    If you want to retain a painted look or improve weather resistance, choose a breathable masonry coating, such as silicate-based systems approved by the Federation of Damp. These allow vapour to escape while shedding rain.

  3. Repoint with Breathable Mortar
    If bricks have been painted to hide poor pointing, consider lime-based repointing as a longer-term solution that respects the building’s breathability.

  4. Install External Drainage if Needed
    If the painted wall is also suffering from ground-level bridging or splashback, you may need to lower external ground levels or install a gravel drainage trench.


🏠 When It’s Too Late for Paint Removal

In some cases, especially with multiple layers of old gloss paint or textured finishes, removal may not be viable. In these situations, we often recommend:

  • Applying a breathable overcoat with proven permeability

  • Internal tanking and salt-inhibiting plaster if internal damp is present

  • Ventilation upgrades to manage moisture levels from the inside


👷 Why Trust Weather Wise?

  • ✅ We diagnose damp problems with testing, not guesswork

  • ✅ Approved by the Federation of Damp and Damp Proofing Association

  • ✅ Experts in breathable coatings and heritage-safe methods

  • ✅ Serving all Worcester postcodes and surrounding villages


📞 Book Your Painted Wall Assessment in Worcester

https://weatherwiseuk.co.uk/pages/contact


FAQs

Can I paint over my brick wall with breathable paint?
Yes — but the surface needs proper preparation and the right product, like a silicate-based paint, not standard masonry paint.

Will this fix my internal damp problems?
Only if the external paint is the cause. A full inspection is needed to rule out rising damp, bridging or condensation.

How much does paint removal cost?
It depends on access, layers, and the brick type. We’ll provide a fixed quote after inspection.


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Book A Free Survey Today

We Offer A Complimentary Survey For Your Home To Assess And Accurately Diagnose Any Issues Relating To Damp, Mould, Condensation, Windows & Doors Plus Many More Quality Home Improvements!

Book a Free Survey below or call us on 01782 901101

Book A Free Survey Now