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Peeling Masonry/Brick
 

 

Description:
Loss of adhesion of the paint film exposing the underlying brick or masonry surface.

Possible Cause:
The most common cause of peeling from surfaces composed of mortar, stucco, brick, building block or concrete is efflorescence. Soluble salts are contained in these materials. When dissolved by water, they will be carried to the surface and will remain there after the water has evaporated. These crystallized salts push the paint away from the surface, and peeling results.

Sometimes efflorescence occurs on brick walls of new construction. A common building practice is to wash new brick or concrete walls with muriatic acid to clean away excess mortar. If the final rinsing was not thorough and the wall was later painted, any salts left on the bricks absorbed the moisture, causing peeling. (Current thinking is that acid etching, especially with muriatic acid, actually adds chloride salts back into concrete, so it’s best to avoid acid etching).

Not all peeling from masonry is caused by efflorescence. Peeling can occur when any paint is applied over an uncured surface with a high alkalinity content (for example, unetched concrete).

Solution:
If efflorescence is evident, it must be removed before repainting. First, remove all flaking or chalking paint from the damaged area by wire brushing or high-pressure water washing.

Fill all cracks with Flex Bon patching compound or caulking compound If the surface is very porous, apply an alkali-resistant primer or block filler. Topcoat with an alkali resistant exterior latex house paint.

Recommended System:
Patch
FLEX BON Knife Grade Elastomeric Patching Compound
Primer
1 Coat of FLEX BON #194 Series Exterior 100% Acrylic Latex Primer
Topcoat
2 Coats of Top Quality FLEX BON Exterior Latex Paint

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