[kimothy777]

I am painting internal brick work in my laundry. It looks like there is mould or algae or something that is making the bricks look yucky. My questions are:

1) what should I use to clean the bricks prior to painting?

2) What paint can I use? Anything or do I need to know something special about undercoats, etc? The bricks are reddy colour and I do want to have a light finish if possible.

Should I do an undercoat plus two final coats? All comments appreciated as I am doing this myself and have no-one else to ask. Thanx.

:no:

 

[Faron79]

1) Is it a "Real" brick wall? Or...one of those horrendous glued-on brick panels?

2) Is one or more of the walls an exterior/foundation wall? Upper-level, or a type of basement?

3) How is the rooms' ventilation...especially since it may be a lower-level?

4) If any dryer used where is its final venting exit-point?

Need some important info. first!

Faron

 

[Gymschu]

Like Faron said, more info or a pic would help. If you have mold/algae growing on the brick, I suspect you have some moisture issues that need addressed first.

 

[kimothy777]

Response to Faron

Thank you so much Faron,

Here are your answers.


1) Yes it is a real brick wall. Single layer. It used to be the back of my garage but I took the back 2 metres of it and enclosed it to become my laundry. The inside of it is looking ugly (it is 32 years old). The other side of the brick is the ourside. And yes I do have a picture.

2) I hope I already answered this. Used to be garage. Downstairs. There is no upstaris. But one more good point, my hot water cylinder is just to the right of this yucky stuff on the brick. Could that be the cause of it?

3) Ventilation. There is a window directly above the brick wall that can open (one side only). I don't open it that often but I guess I can . . .
Also, I will be putting in an extractor fan in a few months time when this room is fully converted into a little kitchenette.

4) With regards to dryer, that has already been moved. Will be putting in basic kitchen set up using existing taps to put in sink. No oven or stove going in. I hope that helps. But I will put in extractor fan because I might have a portable hot plate for cooking?

I know I can plasterboard up the wall but was hoping that a coat of paint would be easier for me to do.

I hope I covered everything. I appreciate your help. Thanks! :thumbup:

 

[housepaintingny]

H&C solid concrete stain. It can be found at Sherwin Williams. There is no undercoater needed and it won't be a thick buildup like paint will be. Clean with tsp prior.

 

[Gymschu]

Sounds like the hot water supply line is the culprit producing the mildew/mold. TSP or even some bleach/water mix would kill it off. Make sure there is no leak in the pipe. Perhaps the water line is "sweating" and producing the mildew. Once that's taken care of, you are ready to stain and/or paint the brick.

 

[kimothy777]

Huh???

Thanks guys for the tips. I am in Australia and have never heard of Sherwin Williams.

What is TSP? Thanks :whistling2:

 

[Gymschu]

Tri-Sodium Phosphate is a cleaner/degreaser/deglosser.