Updating Interior Brick and Stone

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Your dark brown brick focal wall may have looked au courant in the ’60s, but BEFORE. This washed-out fireplace has no pizazz. Faux painting and a refinished mantle subtly enhances the bricks, offering more depth and character. Photo courtesy of Brick Transformers. it’s likely out of date. The one-note grayish river stone and matching mortar on your fireplace surround probably stood out when the surrounding walls were white, but after you repainted the walls taupe, the stone now looks dingy. Contrary to popular belief, homeowners with such dilemmas are not stuck with what they have nor is a coat of glossy white paint their only option. Manufacturers and artisans alike have been devising new products and techniques that allow brick or stone to shift from blah to beautiful. Evaluate the Surface Before considering a new look, it’s vital to assess the condition of the old surface. Common problems of old interior brick and stone include spalling and efflorescence. Spalling occurs when water gets inside the brick or stone and pushes salt toward the outside, causing the brick face to peel, flake or crumble. With efflorescence, the salt causes a white dust or greenish or brownish salt deposits. “Usually [spalling and efflorescence are] caused by a moisture problem from a faulty roof or faulty chimney,” says Harry Brax of Brick Transformers in the Chicago area. “If there’s a moisture issue, refinishing isn’t going to prevent that from occurring.” AFTER. Previously, this washed-out fireplace had no pizazz. Faux painting and a refinished mantle now subtly enhances the bricks, offering more depth and character. Photo courtesy of Brick Transformers. To stop the moisture from seeping in, call a fireplace or masonry specialist or a contractor (or a restoration contractor if preserving the home’s historic nature is a concern) who can determine the cause and repair the problem. Take care of any necessary replacements or repointing before you move forward. If you need extensive repairs or want to rebuild, it will cost about $5 to $15 per square foot—more if you need special or historic brick—which doesn’t include demolition. Next, closely examine the surface to determine what you’re working with. In most cases, you can telling just by looking if the brick or stone has been painted. You may need a professional to help you establish if it has been sealed or stained. Create a Clean Slate If your surface has been painted, you’ll likely want to strip the paint before trying to renew the brick or stone. This process isn’t easy. These materials are porous, and paint works its way into all the nooks and crannies. Sandblasting and pressure washing—often used on exterior brick and sometimes damaging to surfaces—are more difficult to try indoors. Instead, the pros use options like PeelAway, a product that is brushed on, overlaid with a special piece of paper, then stripped off—much like waxing a leg. You may need to apply the product several times before the surface is sufficiently free of paint.

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