[Plot74]

Is it a cavity or solid wall?
This could make all the difference to how you tackle the problem
John

[compostqueen]

I will go and have a look outside in daylight. If it has a cavity it will have grey blobs on the wall as we recently had cavity wall insulation but I know not all of the house has a cavity

[ilan]

How old is the house ? If you are getting damp into the house then the damp course has failed or the house was built without one either way you do not want to try and keep the damp out with paint or any kind of sealent . If you want a painted finish then you should use a lime based paint normaly white or a range of natural colours

[compostqueen]

My husband thinks it's double brick without a cavity 

[mumofstig]

definitely don't paint it then, it has to breathe to dry out

That's probably why the paint that's there is flaking off

[compostqueen]

I had a go at getting the paint off yesterday and I can see that that whole thing needs repointing for a start. Some holes in the stuccoed wall above,  where something was attached to the wall, need filling in and I was going to paint the wall if the rain ever stops 

[ilan]

If the house was built before 1930 then the wall was designed to breath make sure the pointing is upto scratch use a lime based morter If you must over paint the brickwork use a lime paint make sure the damp course has not been breached by a build up of earth or a concrete path make sure all down pipes and gutters are clear and not leaking. 

[bainsk8]

Dont do it!!!!

Bricks are meant to breath, if you put waterproof paint on them get what it stops them breathing e.g. releasing water behind them.

The only time I would do it if you have a raised wood floor downstairs with air bricks.

I'm a painter and decorator for 23 years and this is your best advise. I have seen some bad consequences from people/UN-expereinced painters using wrong products that seal off the bricks. If I had a stubborn customer who insists then I would use a breathable lime wash or masonry paint if it was painted previously. Don't use an oil base sealer or paint.

[compostqueen]

I've not got all the paint off yet. It seems like a rubbery stuff rather than a paint and it's proving a pig to shift. I might have to resort to a poultice type paint remover. Once the paint is off I can then get the pointing repaired.  I wanted to get it done before winter but it might not happen.