How to Seal Brick Flooring

an orange machine on brick flooring
  • 2-4 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 50-100
What You'll Need
3-inch all-purpose paintbrush or,
Stain sealer mop
Painter's tape
Plastic
Drop cloth
Old towels or rags
5-gallon bucket
Hot water
Mild soap
Firm scrub brush
Grout cleaner
Clean mop
Top-grade sealer (preferably from specialists in brick flooring)
What You'll Need
3-inch all-purpose paintbrush or,
Stain sealer mop
Painter's tape
Plastic
Drop cloth
Old towels or rags
5-gallon bucket
Hot water
Mild soap
Firm scrub brush
Grout cleaner
Clean mop
Top-grade sealer (preferably from specialists in brick flooring)

With proper sealing, brick flooring is easy to clean and maintain. Sealing your brick floor also gives it a crisp, clean look and keeps water and other liquids from seeping underneath the brick through the grouting. Follow these steps to complete the sealing process.

Step 1 - Clean the Brick Flooring

Before you can add any sealant to your brick flooring, you must clean it thoroughly. Fill your bucket halfway with hot water and add enough soap for a moderately soapy lather. Submerge the scrub brush in the soapy mixture and begin to clean your floor. Apply extra pressure on hard-to-clean areas. If you find grout excessively soiled and stained, use grout cleaner to assist in cleaning the soiled area. After you finish, rinse the floor thoroughly with clean water and a mop.

Step 2 - Protect the Surrounding Areas

You don't want to get sealant on any of the areas surrounding your brick flooring. Use your painter's tape to tape the edges of the floors that adjoin your brick. Tape a 6-inch strip of plastic on the back end of the tape for added protection of the adjoining floors, especially if they are carpeted.

Step 3 - Cover the Plastic Strips

After you have added the plastic strips, cover the strips with old towels or rags to absorb any splatter from applying the sealer. This way, splatters won't puddle up on the plastic.

Step 4 - Apply the Sealer

If your floor is completely dry, you can now begin applying the sealer to your floor. Pour sealer into a paint tray and use your paintbrush to apply the sealer to the wall farthest away from the entrance of the room. Work your way out from there.

Or...

If you have back or knee trouble, use a sealant mop to apply the sealant. Using a mop will absorb more of the sealant than your paintbrush, so ensure you keep the paint tray full. You will still need to complete the baseboard and underneath any elevated fixtures with the paintbrush. Allow your brick flooring to dry overnight.

Step 5 - Apply a Second Coat

Check the floor the following morning to ensure that it is completely dry. If it is, you will now want to apply a second coat to the brick flooring. The second coat ensures thorough protection. When the floor dries, you are done. Remove rags, plastic, and tape.