Painting Exterior Walls After Ivy or Damp in Hampstead NW3

Ivy removal and historic damp ingress are two of the most common reasons external walls in Hampstead NW3 need specialist decoration attention. In both cases, the preparation is complex and the paint system must be appropriate for the substrate condition.

Painting After Ivy Removal

Ivy rootlets penetrate mortar joints and leave behind an extensive network of dead fibres attached to the wall. After ivy removal in NW3, the following remediation is needed: kill remaining rootlets with boiling water or herbicide; allow the wall surface to dry fully (minimum 6–8 weeks); treat any compromised mortar joints with lime repointing; apply a masonry consolidant to any friable or weakened brick faces; then apply a breathable masonry paint system.

Painting After Damp

External walls affected by penetrating damp in NW3 must be dried out before painting — typically requiring 3–6 months after the source of damp is eliminated. We use breathable masonry paint systems (Keim Granital, Earthborn Silicone Plus) that allow residual moisture to escape through the decorative film while preventing new water ingress.

What to Avoid

Never apply an impermeable masonry paint over damp masonry — it will blister and fail rapidly, and can make the damp worse by trapping moisture. Our NW3 survey will identify any active damp issues before any painting programme begins.

Post-ivy and post-damp exterior painting specialists in Hampstead NW3. Free surveys and damp assessments.