brickwall

Sometimes the best home renovations don’t have anything to do with kitchen estimates or the average cost of a bathroom remodel. Rather, sometimes the best home renovations are much mores simple and, so long as you know how to do them, can even be done yourself. Painting brick is a home renovation that can completely transform your homes look from rustic to classy and so long as you know how to do it, it’s cheap and easy, too!

How to Paint Brick

1. Mortar. In case you’re wondering, mortar is the hard white-ish paste that is used to stick your bricks together. Before painting your bricks, inspect the mortar for any crumbling spaces or large gaps. Not fixing these spots can lead to gaps in the paint job as well as falling paint flakes once the paint is dry. Most of these spots can probably be fixed with caulk or spackle, but for any major damage you’ll want to call a local mason or contractor.

2. Wipe It Down.  If your brick is dirty, and even if you don’t think it is, it’s a good idea to wipe it down. Paint does not stick well to a dirty surface and brushing down the brick is easy to do! Buy a hard bristled brush from a local hardware store, a little bit of dish soap, and thoroughly scrub down the brick for any dirt, cobwebs or old bugs.

3. Tools. Painting brick is not like painting a smooth surface. Because of all it’s bumps and crevices, it’s important to buy the right tools for when you begin painting. Ideally, a sprayer will provide for the most even results, but using a roller with a long nap and pushing down hard while painting to get inside the tiny nooks and crevices can work, too. And when it comes to mortar lines, use a brush that is easy to manipulate to ensure a completely painted wall.

4. Prime It. There are a ton of primers out on the market right now. It’s important that when buying a primer you buy one specifically for masonry. If you’re having a hard time finding this, visit a local hardware store and ask an expert.

5. The Big Finish. Once you’ve primed, it’s time for the finish! It’s important to use a 100% acrylic paint, and while you have the final say, we here at Mihalko’s General Contracting recommend a slightly glossy finish. The slightly glossy finish will help accentuate the detail of the brick and provide for an easy to clean product.

Before drafting up some remodel bathroom ideas or figuring out the average cost of a kitchen remodel, think about a paint job. A simple paint job, whether on a smooth surface or exposed brick, is easy to do and probably right in your budget! And when it’s time for larger paint jobs and home projects, make sure to call a contracting company you can trust. Call a family company that has been serving the Johnstown PA, Latrobe PA and Altoona PA area for over 34 years. Call Mihalko’s General Contracting for your home renovation needs!

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