Frequently Asked Questions

• Are your products suitable for paved area, e.g. patios etc.?
  • No, Dyebrick colour stains are not recommended for paved areas, patios or floor tiles. The level of durability on horizontal surfaces will depend on the type and quality of your masonry, the degree of exposure to the weather, residual ground moisture, mechanical wear (traffic), accidental spillages, de-icing salts and various domestic cleaning activities. Because of all these variables Dyebrick is not able to provide a guarantee for any of their products used on horizontal surfaces.
• Can Dyebrick be applied to sealed or painted brickwork?
  • No, Dyebrick is not suitable for any masonry that has previously been painted or sealed with a water-proofer.

• Do I need to prepare or clean my brickwork first?
  • Dyebrick should be applied to clean brickwork with even absoption. Spray water over your walls to see if they absorb naturally and evenly over the surface. By doing this you will also be able to assess if your brickwork has been sealed in the past. Dyebrick will not work on brickwork that has been sealed. If your bricks are dirty, then they will need cleaning (see below for a guide to pressure washing). However, some old brickwork or heavily textured brick may still have variable absorption even after cleaning, so it important to carry out test panels afterwards, using our sample pots.

Pressure Washing: Brickwork with a moderate amount of trapped organics and surface grime can be effectively cleaned using a standard household pressure washer.
You should use a fan-jet and do not hold the lance too close to the brickwork, you need to be at a distance that covers the width of the brickface and the mortar.
Most brickwork looks good when wet, so you need to keep to a particular pattern to ensure you cover all the area of the brickwork. Start from the top and snake your way gradually down the wall, then repeat to the next strip.
Once you have cleaned the brickwork you need to let it thoroughly dry out (at least 24 hours depending on weather) prior to applying Dyebrick.

• Can Dyebrick be used to colour stone or concrete successfully?
  
  • Dyebrick is only effective in colouring certain types of stonework or concrete. Trials need be carried out to assess the suitability and compatibility with your particular masonry. Some masonry types are very porous and also have high psv's (polished stone values) which make them difficult to tint effectively.
    PLEASE NOTE: The Dyebrick guarantee only applies to brickwork and does not apply to stonework.

• I am unsure which colour to choose, do you supply small amounts for test purposes?
  • To view a range of colours that can be achieved please visit our Colour Panels page. Sample pots are available to purchase from our online shop. They are supplied in small pots that contain 100ml of a standard Dyebrick prepared colour (e.g. as made when mixing the initial 600ml solution with the Dyebrick Brick Tinting Kit.

• What is the ideal weather and temperature range for applying Dyebrick products?
  • The recommended temperature range in Fahrenheit for applying Dyebrick is between 60⁰ (15.5⁰C) and 85⁰ (29.5⁰C). Dyebrick should not be applied if the temperature is above 95⁰ (35⁰C). Dyebrick should not be applied to brickwork exposed to direct sunlight when the temperature is above 80⁰ (28⁰C).
  • Dyebrick ideally should be applied in warmer weather. However, if using in winter-time then it should only be applied when the temperature is 40⁰ (4.5⁰C) on a rising thermometer. Dyebrick should not be used on damp or wet masonry.

• Can I purchase your products anywhere other than your webshop?
  • No, our products are only available through our online shop.

• I am in the USA do I have to pay Tax twice on your product?
  • No, our products are shipped at a zero rate for destinations outside the United Kingdom. However, by US law, you will be liable for Duties and Tax charged at your Country's rate.

• Is Dyebrick safe to use on my brick fireplace or firebox?
  • Yes, Dyebrick is ideal for use on fireplaces, as it is completely fire-resistant and will not evolve any fumes, harmful or otherwise.

• Can I use Dyebrick on my roof tiles?
  • Dyebrick is NOT GUARANTEED for use on clay or concrete roof tiles. However, some customers have still used it on their roofs with successful results. Click Here

• Are your products environmentally friendly?
  • Dyebrick products are non-toxic, odourless, fire-resistant and contain zero volatile organic compounds.

• Do I require any special skills to apply this product?
  • You will require a little practice similar to careful home decorating methods, and follow the detailed instructions supplied with each kit. A good idea is to practice using plain water and a 2-inch pure bristle paintbrush (not nylon) on your bricks. This will enable you to judge how much to load your brush to prevent runs or spillage. You will also to be able to assess how the brick 'draws' the product from your brush and what pressure needs to be applied to effectively dye your bricks. If you measure out 600mls you will also be able to ascertain how much area you can cover so you will know how much to order (see also our Coverage Rates page). Remember to let any areas that you have practiced on fully dry out prior to starting any tinting work.

• Do you offer a brick tinting service?
  • No, we are a supply-only company. However, we may be able to recommend a brick tinting company that carries out this work, depending on your location.

• What is the shelf life of your products?
  • Dyebrick kits have a shelf life of at least 3 years. However, when the contents have been mixed for use, they are prone to particle settlement. If Dyebrick is to be stored in its mixed form, then it must be agitated at least twice a week until use.

• Will the original shade variations in the masonry still be evident after applying Dyebrick?
  • Dyebrick still allows original shade variations to be maintained, though the degree will depend upon the dilution level, or amount of coats you choose to apply. Please try our sample pots first, to assess the colour created when applied to your bricks.

• Can your products be used on damp brickwork or below a Damp Proof Course?
  • No, Dyebrick should not be applied to wet or damp brickwork. Our products are not guaranteed for use below DPC but can be used. The degree of efficacy will depend upon the brick type and the amount of moisture present.

• Is your product suitable for use indoors?
  • Yes, Dyebrick is odourless and non-toxic.

• Can Dyebrick be used on Calcium Silicate Bricks or bricks with exposed aggregate?
  • No, we do not recommend or guarantee our products for use on calcium silicate bricks.

• Do you have a help line?
  • We offer help and advice through our website via email and telephone.

• Can Dyebrick be used to colour stone or concrete successfully?
  • Dyebrick is only effective in colouring certain types of stonework or concrete. Trials need be carried out to assess the suitability and compatibility with your particular masonry. Some masonry types are very porous and also have high psv's (polished stone values) which make them difficult to tint effectively.
    PLEASE NOTE: The Dyebrick Lifetime guarantee only applies to brickwork and does not apply to stonework. Masonry treated with Dyebrick can be sealed with most proprietary sealers when using on these surfaces.

• Can the brickwork be sealed after Dyebrick has been applied?
  • If the brickwork requires sealing, then this should be carried out after the masonry has been tinted and has been allowed to dry thoroughly. Most sealers are compatible with Dyebrick, but please carry out a small test area first.
    Please note: The Dyebrick guarantee does not apply to masonry that has been sealed with other products outside the Dyebrick range.




• How long have your products been in use?
  • Our formulations have been used successfully for over 30 years within the construction industry. To view customer jobs on our gallery pages going back over 25 years CLICK HERE.