Yes! You can easily seal your brick backsplash with the help of a sealant. The right sealant can protect your brick backsplash from water and moisture damage.
A brick backsplash is the hard covering on the wall that is behind kitchen countertops. There are multiple uses of the brick backsplash, which are both functional and aesthetic.
The brick backsplash is a very important feature of the kitchen and is usually made with a molded brick-like veneer masonry unit. Many people believe that the brick backsplash is actually made of bricks when in reality it’s not. If a home already has a solid brick backsplash it may not be an additional feature to the kitchen.
Since these brick backsplashes are usually made with concrete or natural clay, they tend to be porous, and with the passage of time, they might wither away. This is why many people prefer to seal the brick backsplash. Let’s learn more about sealing the brick backsplash.
Can You Seal Brick Backsplash?
Yes, you can seal your brick backsplash with the help of a sealant. Clean the backsplash thoroughly and use a roller to seal it completely!
Sealing a Brick Backsplash
A brick backsplash can get easily damaged and it is important for homeowners to make sure that their kitchens stay in top condition. The daily wear and tear can be very damaging to the brick backsplash. The moisture from your everyday cooking can affect the brick backsplash, not just that but the oil that vaporizes when cooking also collects on the brick backsplash and damages it.
Since you use your kitchen almost every day it means that there is a lot of chance for your brick backsplash to be affected by the daily activities. This is why it is important that we seal brick backsplash. With the sealant, you will be able to keep all the oil, water and other harmful substances away from the brick backsplash.
These brick backsplash can be coated with a polyurethane sealant and other sealants. The Polyurethane sealant is a clear sealant that comes in a satin and matte finish. This can effectively protect your brick backsplash from all stimuli such as oil, cooking fumes, and other moisture.
This satisfies the question that you can seal the brick backsplash and it is better that you do. With a good sealant, you will be able to increase the life of your kitchen brick backsplash.
Is It Bad To Seal Brick?
Many people are unsure whether or not they should seal brick. There is a lot of confusion about whether or not sealing brick is a good idea. But the answer to that is simple; sealing brick is not a bad idea at all.
Using sealants is a must if you want to make sure that your brick wall lasts you a long time. The sealant can stop the effects of efflorescence and not just that but it can also safeguard the color to make sure that it does not fade away.
Water penetration or smoke fumes can deeply affect the color and the condition of your brick backsplash.
What Can You Use To Seal Your Brick Backsplash?
To seal the brick backsplash there are multiple choices of sealant that you can use, however, the most recommended sealant is a clear polyurethane sealant. The best choices of sealant include any sealant that comes with a clear silane or siloxane base. These are the best choices as they help block all the moisture.
These sealants will not harm your veneer and make sure that its color stays as vibrant as possible. Moisture can be very damaging to the color of your brick backsplash which is why such sealants are the best option.
It is important to avoid sealants that are silicate-based as they can discolor your brick veneer. Here are some of the many sealants you can find in the markets:
Impregnators/ Penetrating Sealers
These sealers are the most common option among them all. They are usually used for the thin brick backsplash and in areas where there is a lot of exposure to moisture and grime. This is a great fit for the kitchen walls as there is a constant use of moisture in that area.
These sealants absorb into the surface and then have a chemical reaction. They bond strongly with the substrate and this helps prevent any water or moisture from getting to the surface of the actual substrate. These sealants are very durable and can last you a very long time.
Typically, you do not have to reapply the sealant for 20 years after the first coat.
These sealants come in both water and oil-based solution. Since the area in question is a kitchen brick backsplash, it is best to use an oil-based solution. They are more durable as compared to water-based solutions.
Topical Coating
If you want a satin sheen, you can use a topical coating. The topical coating can help you get a more aesthetic look. They give off a shine that is hard to find otherwise. However, they are not a very good fit for areas that have a lot of moisture and grime.
They may not be strong and with the passage of time, they may let water or moisture get through. Moreover, you might have to reapply the topical coating which means that it does not have a very long life.
You can find a topical coating of different types such as Acrylic, Epoxy, Urethane, and Blended. You can choose among them depending on the quality.
Wax
Many people also use wax to cover their brick as a sealant. Wax provides a good sheen and a glossy finish which is a great option if you are looking for something natural. However, it can be difficult to apply them and it makes take a lot of time. Wax is not a very good sealant as it can collect debris and even let grime and water through to the veneer.
How to Seal Your Brick Backsplash?
It is very important for you to seal your brick backsplash in the right way. Follow these steps and you will be able to seal the brick backsplash without any flaws.
- Cover the floor and doorways so the sealant does not bleed into them.
- Clean the surface first. Use warm water and vinegar to scrub the wall with a brush or a microfiber mop.
- Rinse the surface with clean water to wash off all cleaning solutions.
- Let the brick wall dry completely so that you can prep it for sealing.
- Get a paint roller tray and pour the brick sealer.
- Attach the roller to the pole. Dip it into the sealer tray.
- Roll the roller into the tray grate so that you can remove all the excess sealer.
- Use the roller to paint the sealer onto the brick backsplash.
- Begin the painting from one side and end on the other.
- Let the sealer dry, this may take a long time.
- Once the sealer is completely dry you can apply the second coat.
- After the wall is completely dry you can remove the coverings and use your kitchen.
Bottom Line
If you are thinking about sealing your brick backsplash, then this is the right time! You most definitely can steal your brick backsplash and it is always recommended. However, you need to make sure you use the right sealant and the right method of applying the sealant.
When you remodel your kitchen or if you have recently installed a brick backsplash then it is best to seal it. If you don’t you might end up damaging it greatly. These backsplashes are very prone to damage because of the water and moisture attacking the pores and staying there.
That being said, seal your brick backsplash today and you will be glad you did it!
Sources
https://theknowledgeburrow.com/is-brick-backsplash-hard-to-keep-clean/
https://janetpanic.com/how-do-you-seal-a-brick-backsplash/#How_do_you_seal_old_brick_walls
