Why is water coming through brick wall when it rains?

Water coming through your home’s brick walls could mean many things. In all cases, it can be detrimental to your paint job. It is important to make sure that there are no leaks or moisture problems with your walls prior to commencing your paint job. We have constructed a list below that will help you determine why your wall may be damp or wet, and what to do if it is. The sooner you rectify the issues, the less damage water or moisture causes. If left unattended, water and moisture can cause detrimental and costly damage to your home, so it is important that you can action any suspicions in a prompt and effective manner.

Water coming through a brick wall when it rains can be caused by several factors, including:


1. Lack of proper flashing: 

Flashing is a material, typically made of metal, that is used to prevent water from seeping through the gaps between the wall and the roof, windows or other openings. If the flashing is not properly installed or is damaged, water can easily seep through.

2. Lack of proper sealing: 

Brick walls should be sealed to prevent water from penetrating the surface. A failure to seal the wall or the use of an improper sealant can cause water to enter the wall.

3. Cracks in the wall: 

Brick walls can develop cracks over time, either from settling or from exposure to weather. If the cracks are not properly repaired, water can easily enter the wall. Check out our crack fillers here.

4. Overflowing gutters or downspouts:

If gutters or downspouts are clogged or damaged, water can overflow and seep into the brick wall.

5. Poorly sloped ground: 

If the ground around the foundation of the building is not properly sloped away from the building, water can collect around the foundation and seep into the brick wall.

6. Lack of proper roofing: 

The roof of a building can also play a key role in preventing water from entering the brick walls. If the roof is not properly installed, water can seep through and enter the walls. See our roof coatings here.

Why water is coming through brick walls when it rains could be a moisture problem. Moisture on walls inside a house can be caused by several factors, including:


1. Leaks: 

Leaks in the roof, walls, or plumbing can lead to moisture on the walls. These leaks can be caused by a variety of factors such as damaged shingles, cracked tiles, or broken pipes.

2. High humidity: 

If the humidity inside the house is too high, it can lead to moisture on the walls. This can be caused by poor ventilation, lack of air conditioning, or the use of humidifiers.

3. Insufficient insulation:

Insufficient insulation in the walls can lead to condensation, which can cause moisture on the walls.

4. Poor grading: 

If the ground around the foundation of the house is not properly sloped away from the building, water can collect around the foundation and seep into the house through the walls.

5. Crawl space or basement: 

Moisture can come through the walls if the crawl space or basement is not properly sealed or insulated.

6. Lack of proper ventilation: 

If there is no proper ventilation in the house, moisture can build up and cause mold, mildew, and rot.


It is important to address the issue as soon as possible to avoid any further damage to the walls and the structure of the house. An inspection by a professional can help identify the cause of the problem and recommend the best course of action.

Make sure to inspect the above possibilities to determine what issue your walls are facing and make sure those issues are rectified prior to commencing any new paint job. If you make sure that your walls are dry and clean, your paint job will last a lot longer and look a lot better. Hopefully this article helped you to determine why water coming through brick wall when it rains. Make sure you do your due diligence and hire an expert if you are not able to determine the issue yourself. A professional will be able to give you suitable recommendations on what to do in your specific scenario.