A brick sealer soaks into face brick, clay and cement bricks and brick paving to block water, salts and dirt, stopping efflorescence, damp and staining while keeping the natural brick look. Rhinoluxe Stone Sealer is a solvent-based, penetrating sealer that seals brickwork and brick paving with a satin wet-look finish. This guide explains what a brick sealer does, why face brick needs it, and how to apply it.
What does a brick sealer do?
A brick sealer penetrates the brick and its mortar joints to keep water, salts and dirt out, so the wall or paving stays dry, clean and free of white salt staining. Brick is porous and soaks up rain and ground moisture, which leads to damp patches, efflorescence and, over time, spalling as trapped salts crystallise. Stone Sealer anchors inside the pores, repelling water while letting the brick breathe, and it deepens the natural colour with a subtle satin finish.
Should you seal face brick?
Yes — sealing face brick keeps it looking clean, cuts down efflorescence and damp, and makes the wall far easier to maintain, without changing its natural appearance. Unsealed face brick weathers, collects dirt and algae, and shows white salt bloom, especially on exposed or coastal walls. A penetrating sealer preserves the exact brick look while adding a water-repellent, easy-clean barrier. It is a protect-and-preserve step, not a colour change — for a painted brick wall you would use an exterior wall paint instead.
Does sealing brick stop efflorescence and damp?
Sealing greatly reduces efflorescence and surface damp by blocking the water that carries salts through the brick, while its breathable film still lets vapour escape. Efflorescence forms when water moves through the brick and deposits white salts as it dries; Stone Sealer cuts off that water path from the face. Where damp is driven through a wall from behind or rising from the ground, the moisture source also needs addressing — sealing the face handles weather-driven wetting and salt bloom. See how to stop efflorescence.
Can you seal brick paving and driveways?
Yes — brick paving takes the same penetrating sealer, which repels water and oil, resists weeds and moss in the joints, and makes the paving easier to clean. On a brick driveway or patio, Stone Sealer soaks into the pavers and the mortar or sand joints, keeping them drier so moss and weeds struggle to take hold, and shedding oil and food spills in braai and entertainment areas. High-traffic tyre tracks wear first and are easily recoated. For paving generally, see the how to seal slasto and paving guide.
What finish does a brick sealer give?
Stone Sealer gives a low-gloss satin "wet look" that deepens and enriches the brick's natural colour rather than leaving it flat. The solvent-based resin highlights the warm tones of clay and face brick, similar to how wet brick looks richer after rain, and keeps that enhanced colour while the film lasts. The satin sheen stays non-slip on paving. If you prefer the brick to look completely untouched, a matt penetrating result is achievable by keeping coats thin — but most people choose the sealer for exactly that enriched wet look.
How do you prepare brick before sealing?
Clean the brickwork, remove existing efflorescence and any old coating, repair mortar, and let it dry to below 8 percent (%) moisture. Brush or wash off dirt, algae and white salt bloom; on heavy efflorescence a diluted phosphoric-acid wash works, followed by a thorough rinse and full drying. Repoint any failed mortar joints. Because sealing damp brick traps moisture and blooms white, the surface must be properly dry before you start — wait for a run of dry weather.
How do you apply brick sealer?
Apply with a soft brush, mohair roller or sprayer in thin, even coats along the brickwork, working the sealer into the joints as well as the faces. On dense engineering or clinker brick, thin the first coat by 10% with xylene so it penetrates; ordinary face brick and clay pavers take it more readily. Do the joints and the brick faces, avoid the midday heat, and keep rain off for at least 4 hours after coating. Two coats give the best protection on porous brick.
How many coats and how long does it last?
Two coats is standard, at about 8 to 10 square metres (m²) per litre on the first coat, and the seal lasts roughly 3 to 5 years before a maintenance recoat. Thin only the first coat and apply the second at full strength. Exposed and coastal brickwork weathers faster and needs resealing sooner; a worn area is simply cleaned and recoated, with no need to strip the whole wall. A timely maintenance coat keeps the brick protected and clean.
Where to buy
Shop Rhinoluxe Stone Sealer for face brick and brick paving with national delivery, or visit our paint shops in Table View, Cape Town and Edenvale, Johannesburg. For advice, call +27 84 985 6141. See the full stone & paving sealer guide.
