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How to seal & dustproof an exposed internal brick or masonry wall

How to seal an exposed internal brick wall

How do you seal and dustproof an exposed internal brick or masonry wall? 

An exposed internal brick or masonry wall is sealed and dustproofed by cleaning the surface thoroughly and applying Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer. The sealer penetrates the surface, binds loose particles, and prevents ongoing dusting while drying to a matt finish when applied in one coat. When used correctly, it stabilises brickwork, reduces maintenance, and protects the surface while preserving its natural appearance. 

Exposed internal brick and masonry are popular design features, but untreated surfaces can shed dust, mark easily, and deteriorate over time. This guide explains how Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer works, what finish and (possible) colour change to expect, how many coats are required for walls and floors, and when alternative sealers may be more suitable. 

Why do exposed internal brick and masonry walls create dust? 

Exposed internal brick and masonry walls create dust because the surface is porous and gradually sheds fine particles from both the brick face and mortar joints. This is particularly common with softer, traditional, or clay-based bricks, where the surface continues to break down when left untreated. 

In internal environments, this dust can accumulate on floors, furniture, and fittings, making the space difficult to keep clean and unsuitable for everyday use. 

Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer

Why use Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer on internal brickwork? 

Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer is designed to stabilise exposed brick and masonry by penetrating the surface and binding loose material together. This prevents ongoing dusting and creates a more durable, low-maintenance surface suitable for internal environments. 

Sealing internal brickwork with Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer also: 

  • Reduces surface breakdown 
  • Makes brick and masonry easier to clean 
  • Helps preserve the character of exposed walls 

 

What finish does Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer produce? 

Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer dries to a matt finish when applied in one coat. In most situations, the appearance of the brickwork will remain largely unaltered, making it suitable where a natural, understated finish is required. 

Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer

 

Does Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer enhance colour? 

Colour enhancement depends on the type and porosity of the surface being sealed. 

The effect is most noticeable on soft, highly porous clay-based red brick, where the sealer can subtly enrich colour depth and highlight natural variation. Sandstone masonry may also show enhanced shading and veining once sealed. 

Because every brick and masonry surface reacts differently, colour change cannot be guaranteed and should always be checked before full application. 

Why is testing recommended before sealing brick or masonry? 

When sealing any surface, it is recommended to test Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer on a small, out-of-sight area first. Brickwork and masonry can react differently to any type of sealer depending on porosity, composition, and previous treatments. 

Testing allows you to: 

  • Confirm suitability 
  • Check the final appearance 
  • Assess colour enhancement (if any) 
  • Ensure the desired finish is achieved 

The test area should be allowed to dry fully before proceeding. 

How many coats of Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer are required? 

In most situations, one coat of Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer is sufficient to dustproof internal brick or masonry walls and produce a matt finish. 

If you wish to enhance the appearance further, additional coats can be applied carefully. Building up in thin, even coats may introduce a slight sheen, particularly on smoother or less porous surfaces. 

Applying additional coats with a microfibre cloth helps achieve an even finish and reduces the risk of over-application. 

What sheen can be achieved with multiple coats? 

If Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer is applied in multiple coats, a subtle satin sheen may be visible once dry. This is typically achieved by applying thin, even coats using microfibre cloths rather than flooding the surface. 

Applying additional coats slowly helps preserve a more natural appearance and prevents overbuilding the product. 

How many coats are recommended when sealing brick or masonry floors? 

When sealing brick or masonry floors, additional protection is required due to foot traffic and wear. 

In these situations, 2–3 coats of Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer are recommended. Additional coats improve durability and resistance compared to single-coat wall applications. 

Thin, even coats should always be used to avoid excessive build-up. 

Do you have an internal brick and masonry sealer that will not change the appearance of the surface? 

Yes, you could applyFloorseal Breathable Brick Sealer & Waterproofer on interior brick, exterior brick and on masonry. It is a sealer which resists water and oil-based staining and is also breathable. This sealer can be used on both walls and floors. It makes absolutely no visible change to the surface. 

Please note that Floorseal Breathable Brick Sealer & Waterproofer does not significantly dustproof. This sealer is completely embedded into the pores of the treated material; it does not dry on the surface, so will not fully dustproof. 

Floorseal Breathable Brick Sealer & Waterproofer resists water and oil-based staining. If preventing staining from liquid splashes are your only concern (not heavily dustproofing) it is appropriate for this purpose. 

If dustproofing, possibly deepening colour or creating a sheen is required you should use Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer. The primary purpose of Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer is to prevent dusting leaving a matt finish. It will only achieve a satin finish if you build the product up in thin coats. 

Coverage rates for sealing internal brick & masonry 

The approximate coverage rate of Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer is: 

  • 8m² per litre when applied in a single coat 
  • Up to 16m² per litre when applying a second coat (if required) 

 

Coverage may be greater on dense bricks or dense masonry. Very porous bricks may require additional product. 

The coverage rate of Floorseal Breathable Brick Sealer & Waterproofer is approximately 5m² per litre, you may wish to lightly reapply the product on more porous surfaces. 

Exterior and wet-area considerations 

For external walls or internal fully wet areas where water resistance is required, Floorseal Breathable Brick Sealer & Waterproofer is preferable. This product seals from within the pores of the brick to resist water penetration but does not strongly dustproof, although it will resist minor dusting. 

Breathable Brick Sealer & Waterproofer  should not be overpainted. 

Product guides and related brick sealing products 

For cleaning, sealing, and maintaining brick, stone, and general masonry surfaces, you can view our full range of products, accessories, and technical guides. 

This includes practical ‘how-to’ guides for sealing and cleaning interior and exteriorbrick, stone, and masonry surfaces. 

Summary 

  • Exposed brick and masonry dust because they are porous 
  • One coat produces a matt finish with minimal appearance change 
  • Some colour enhancement may occur on porous red brick and sandstone 
  • Always test first on a small, hidden area 
  • Walls usually require 1 coat, floors 2–3 coats 
  • Multiple coats can introduce a subtle satin sheen 
  • Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer can be over painted  
  • Sealing exposed brick and masonry is standard practice in refurbishment, conversion, and commercial interior projects where dust control, durability, and long-term appearance are important. 
  • Floorseal Breathable Brick Sealer & Waterproofer is often used on the external walls of buildings but can be used within buildings to simply waterproof. Perfect for use in wet areas where full dustproofers cannot be used. Please note that this product will not significantly dustproof as it seals from within the pores of the brick. It can be used to seal external walls against rainwater penetration. Do not overpaint.  

 

Common questions about Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer 

Will Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer stop brick dust permanently? 
When applied correctly, the sealer significantly reduces or eliminates ongoing dusting by binding loose surface material. 

Will the sealer change the appearance of my brickwork? 
In most cases, one coat dries to a matt finish with little visible change, though some surfaces may show slight colour enhancement. 

Can I build up a sheen with additional coats? 
Yes. Applying multiple thin coats can introduce a subtle satin sheen, particularly on smoother surfaces. 

Is Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer suitable for floors? 
Yes, but floors require 2–3 coats to achieve adequate durability and protection. 

The information contained within this article is not exhaustive. If you need further information please contact Floorseal or email info@floorseal.co.uk 

Floorseal Interior Brick Sealer & Dustproofer (5 Litre)

Price range: £5.95 through £89.95

Breathable Brick Sealer & Waterproofer (5 litre)

Price range: £5.95 through £99.00

Brick Cleaner (5 litre)

Price range: £22.95 through £49.95

Microfibre Cloths (pack of 10)

Price range: £7.99 through £11.99