Making Interior Exposed Brickwork Airtight
401F3
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
Hi all,
I have a large interior exposed brick wall that I would like to seal to make it air tight specifically – we are getting an air leakage test done and I was advised that the porous nature of brick & mortar (and the size of the wall) might mean that it is a cause for concern. We are not based in the US and airtightness tests are mandatory and hard to pass where I live!). Can anyone recommend a product that we might be able to use that will seal the bricks to make them air tight without changing their appearance too much?
Thanks!
Replies
Why not wait for the blower test to see if the bricks are leaking before you do anything? The only thing I can think of is one of the aerosol sealers that will fill all the small holes.
Several firms make acrylic sealant for brick walls. They will alter the look a bit, but not beyond recognition. These do not seem specified to achieve any specific air sealing level, but should reduce air flow.
If you really want it sealed, best plan would be to paint with suitable coverings.
If you really want it sealed, the best plan would be to paint with suitable coverings.
The other option is to seal the exterior. That is the absolute best way to seal a brick or stone wall. Prosoco makes the perfect sealant that is used on the exterior. It is called a 'liquid flashing' and is orange in color. It is applied with a roller or an airless sprayer. A little goes a very long way. It will make the wall air tight but it will still allow vapor penetration from the inside to the outside. It creates a Water Resistant Barrier on the outside of the brick. It is not clear though and will require the brick to be covered with a material to protect the sealant from UV sunlight. One or more of the exterior layers could be insulation board with the seams taped.