We have a concrete block retaining wall that faces the street in Burnaby — can it be painted to match the house?

Yes, a concrete block retaining wall can absolutely be painted to match your house — but the preparation and product selection are critical, especially in Burnaby's wet climate.

Concrete masonry is one of the more demanding surfaces to paint successfully. It's highly porous, alkaline, and in Metro Vancouver's rain-heavy environment, it holds moisture for extended periods after wet weather. Paint applied to improperly prepared or damp concrete block will blister, peel, and fail within a season. Done correctly with the right products, a painted retaining wall can look sharp and hold up for 7–10 years.

Surface Preparation — The Most Important Step

Before any paint touches that wall, it needs thorough preparation. Start with a pressure wash to remove dirt, moss, algae, and efflorescence (the white chalky mineral deposits that leach out of concrete block — extremely common on Burnaby retaining walls). Pressure washing alone isn't enough if there's biological growth; follow up with a diluted bleach or commercial mould-killing solution, let it dwell, then rinse thoroughly. Allow the wall to dry completely — in Burnaby, that means waiting 3–5 dry days minimum, ideally in summer when you can be confident the block is dry through its full depth, not just on the surface.

Any cracks or crumbling mortar joints need to be repaired with hydraulic cement or a masonry patching compound before painting. On a retaining wall, water pressure from the soil side is always working against you — sealing cracks on the face helps, but if the wall has significant water infiltration from behind, paint alone won't solve that problem.

Primer and Paint Selection

Masonry primer is non-negotiable. A quality alkali-resistant masonry primer (Sherwin-Williams Loxon Conditioner, Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Masonry Primer, or Dulux Concrete & Masonry Primer) seals the porous surface, neutralises the alkalinity of the concrete, and gives the topcoat something to bond to. Skipping primer on bare concrete block is the single biggest reason painted masonry fails prematurely.

For the topcoat, use a 100% acrylic exterior masonry paint — Sherwin-Williams Loxon XP, Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior, or an elastomeric masonry coating. Elastomeric is worth considering for a retaining wall because it's thicker and more flexible, bridging hairline cracks that develop as the wall moves slightly with soil pressure and seasonal temperature changes. Elastomeric coatings run $70–$120 per gallon but provide superior waterproofing on a surface that takes constant moisture exposure. Budget $55–$90 per gallon for standard premium acrylic masonry paint.

Metro Vancouver Timing and Colour Considerations

Paint this wall between June and September when you can guarantee several consecutive dry days. The wall needs to be dry to the touch and ideally haven't had rain in 48+ hours before application. Concrete block retains moisture deep in its cores long after the surface looks dry — this is especially true for a north- or east-facing wall that doesn't get much afternoon sun.

On colour: matching your house colour is straightforward — bring a paint chip or have the contractor do a colour match. One practical note is that retaining walls face more UV exposure, ground splash, and moisture cycling than house walls, so the colour may fade faster than your siding. Using a paint with UV-resistant pigments (Aura Exterior and Loxon XP both perform well here) will extend colour retention.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

A single-course retaining wall at ground level is a manageable DIY project if you're comfortable with the prep work. The labour-intensive part is the preparation — cleaning, treating, patching, and priming — not the painting itself. A roller with a thick nap (¾" to 1" for block texture) works well for the face, with a brush for mortar joints.

If the wall is tall (over 1 metre), long, or in rough condition with significant crack repair needed, a professional painting contractor will do the prep more thoroughly and apply product more efficiently. Expect to pay $3.50–$6.00 per square foot for professional masonry painting in Metro Vancouver, including prep, prime, and two coats.

If you'd like help finding a local painting contractor experienced with masonry work in Burnaby, Vancouver Paint Contractors can match you with someone for a free estimate — find professionals through the Vancouver Construction Network at vancouverconstructionnetwork.com.