Brick & concrete sealers for porous surfaces
Brick and concrete are porous materials. Untreated concrete can absorb water, oil and dirt, while exposed brickwork can take in rain and moisture. The right sealer can penetrate the pores, reduce absorption and help protect the surface while keeping the building material visible.
Promain stocks concrete sealer and brick sealer systems for interior walls, exterior walls, concrete floors, brick walls and masonry. Some penetrate deeply and remain breathable; others create a surface film. Check the sealer is suitable for the substrate.
Why seal brick and concrete?
Sealing can protect concrete and brick from staining, dusting and weathering. A concrete sealer can make concrete floors easier to maintain, while a brick sealer can reduce moisture ingress on exterior walls and create useful water resistance.
A sealer will not repair structural cracks, failed pointing or active damp. Fix the cause first. A breathable sealer can reduce rain absorption while allowing water vapour to move through walls, rather than leaving moisture trapped inside and increasing the risk of damp or mould inside.
Concrete sealer or brick sealer: What is the difference?
A concrete sealer is formulated for concrete surfaces, where the goal may be dust suppression, stain resistant performance or protection from water and oil. A concrete floor in a garage may need a different sealer from an exterior wall.
A brick sealer is selected for porous brickwork and masonry. When sealing bricks on exterior walls, breathability matters because moisture needs a route out. The brick sealer should penetrate the brick unless a film-forming surface finish is specifically required.
Choosing a concrete sealer for concrete floors
Concrete floors can dust as the surface wears, particularly where untreated concrete is friable. A concrete sealer can penetrate and bind the surface, helping to create a cleaner concrete floor for garages and other internal floors. Some products also resist oil, grease and staining.
Before sealing a concrete floor, confirm whether it is power-floated, painted or affected by moisture. Centrecoat Concrete & Brick Sealer suits new and old concrete surfaces, but Promain states it is not suitable for power-floated concrete floors. Match the concrete sealer to the concrete floor.
Sealing untreated concrete and concrete surfaces
Untreated concrete needs preparation. Remove debris, dirt, oil, grease, laitance, old paint and incompatible sealer. Repair cracks, allow the repair to cure and make sure the concrete is dry. A penetrating concrete sealer must soak into bare concrete and may not work on dense materials.
Test an inconspicuous area first. The test should show whether the sealer can penetrate, whether a second coat is needed and whether the appearance changes after drying.
Choosing a brick sealer for brick walls
Brick walls need a sealer that suits the porosity of the brick. Highly absorbent brick may soak up more product, while dense brick can limit penetration. When sealing bricks, confirm that the brick sealer can penetrate the surface and will not create an unwanted colour change or sheen.
For interior brick walls, Bedec Stone and Brick Sealer Interior is a clear sealer for interior use. For exterior brick walls, Promain also supplies water based and silane-siloxane treatments that penetrate porous brickwork and protect against rain, organic growth and damp.
Breathable brick sealer for exterior walls
A breathable brick sealer helps exterior walls resist weather while allowing moisture and water vapour to escape, so the brickwork can breathe. If walls show damp, staining or mould inside, investigate the source before sealing.
Check the technical data for the substrate, coats, application method and water resistance. Breathable does not mean waterproof, and a waterproof claim should only be used where the product documentation supports it.
Penetrating sealer or surface film?
Penetrating products soak into brick, concrete or stone. Centrecoat R28 Pure Sealer, Mapei Antipluviol products and Fosroc Nitocote SN502 are treatments designed to penetrate porous masonry. These sealer systems suit projects where a natural appearance and breathable protection are important.
A film-forming sealer creates a surface film. This can form a visible layer that changes colour, stain resistant performance and slip resistance when wet. On floors, check the product data rather than assuming every concrete sealer behaves the same way.
Slip resistance on floors and wet areas
Slip resistance matters on concrete floors, patios and steps that may become wet. Promain states that Centrecoat Concrete & Brick Sealer does not affect slip resistance, but this should not be assumed for every concrete sealer or brick sealer.
If slip resistance is a project requirement, check the exact product. One coat, two coats or a second coat can produce different results, so follow the specified number of coats.
Preparing brick, concrete and masonry before sealing
The surface should be sound, clean and suitable for sealing. Remove soiling, dust, grease, organic growth and unstable coatings from brick, concrete, stone and masonry. Fix cracks first. On bare concrete, remove laitance so the sealer can penetrate; let washed brickwork dry.
For exterior walls, choose a dry day and avoid rain before cure. Porous brick and untreated concrete can absorb quickly. If a surface remains damp, solve the moisture issue rather than trapping it internally beneath an unsuitable layer that may tear or peel as conditions change. For suitable paint preparation, protect adjacent areas and use only the specified coats; extra coats are not automatically better.
Brush, roller or sprayer application
Application depends on the product. A brush suits detailed brickwork, a roller suits smooth concrete floors, and a low-pressure sprayer can apply brick sealer across larger walls where approved.
Use the sprayer evenly so the sealer can penetrate. Keep the product container closed, protect the container as directed and never return contaminated material to the container.
Interior sealers for floors, walls and garages
Interior projects include concrete floors, brick walls, dusty masonry and garages. Water based sealer products suit many low-odour jobs. Bedec Dust Sealer is a transparent water based treatment for porous interior surfaces; Bedec Stone and Brick Sealer Interior is for interior brick.
For internal floors, check wear, staining and cleaning requirements. If a food safe finish is required, confirm food safe status in the technical data; do not assume every concrete sealer is approved for food-related areas. A durable finish depends on the correct surface preparation and sealer specification.
Exterior sealers for brickwork, masonry and concrete
Exterior sealing must account for rain, frost and repeated wetting. A brick sealer for exterior walls should penetrate suitable dry brickwork. Water based and silane-siloxane products can help masonry breathe while reducing absorption.
For exterior concrete, choose a concrete sealer approved for the location. Driveways, walls and exposed concrete surfaces have different demands. Sealing will not fix spalling or cracks, and it should not be treated as a substitute for building repair.
Clear sealer products available from Promain Paints
Centrecoat All Surface Protector is a clear sealer for surfaces including brick, concrete, stone and tiles. Centrecoat R28 Pure Sealer is a penetrating silane-siloxane sealer for porous building materials. Centrecoat Concrete & Brick Sealer is a water based impregnation treatment that can penetrate absorbent brick and concrete and help reduce dusting on concrete floors and brick walls.
Mapei Antipluviol and Antipluviol W are colourless water repellent treatments for masonry. Fosroc Nitocote SN502 is a penetrating option for concrete and masonry. Bedec Dust Sealer is a water based choice for porous interior materials, while Tor SP Stabilising Sealer can bind friable masonry or concrete floors.
Other products include Axalta Acothane LV Sealer for concrete and KEIM Ecotec for water repellence and dust suppression. Compare substrate approval, water based or solvent based chemistry, coats and exposure before ordering.
Will a clear sealer change the colour?
Clear does not always mean invisible. Porous brick, stone and concrete can darken when wet, and some sealer products can change colour or sheen. Test an inconspicuous area before judging the full appearance.
Can you paint over a sealed surface?
A sealer can affect later paint adhesion. Before applying paint over sealed brick, concrete or masonry, identify the sealer and check compatibility. Not every paint will stick to every sealed surface without preparation.
Delivery and technical support from Promain Paints
Promain supplies sealer products across the UK. Delivery costs and dispatch times vary by brand, stock status, product and address, including UK mainland destinations. Orders placed after the stated cut-off may be processed on the next working day. Delivery times are calculated in working days, Monday to Friday (Mon Fri).
Next day delivery is not guaranteed for every sealer. Check stock and delivery information before planning labour. For help choosing a concrete sealer, brick sealer or water based treatment, call Promain on 01462 421 333.
Ready to protect brick, concrete or masonry?
Start with the material and the problem. For concrete floors, decide whether you need dust suppression, stain resistant protection or easier maintenance. For brick walls and exterior walls, consider weather, breathable performance and moisture. For stone or masonry, check porosity and whether the treatment needs to penetrate without leaving a visible film.
Browse the products above and compare each sealer by substrate, application method, coats, coverage and finish. For related work, see Promain's floor sealers, masonry paint and wall cleaners. Ask the technical team for help sealing bricks, untreated concrete or garages.