I am having some brick re-pointing quotes done for my town house in Virginia and a water repellent treatment was added to one of my quotes.  It was recommended that every 10 years of so this treatment be done.  The product in this case is marketed as 100% breathable - allowing moisture to escape.

Recently, on my NY (Rochester area) home we had some mason work done on the brick portion of that house.  When my father asked the mason that did the work about the water repellent treatment -- the mason advised against it.  The mason had mentioned that because of the freeze / thaw cycles in NYS and the sealants ability to seal and trap moisture, that he has done significant repair work.  The mason in NY did say that if there were a breathable product that it may work out.  But from that statement I took it to mean that he was not familiar with the product that was being offered to me.  

I am wondering if anyone has any experience for feedback for sealing brick exteriors with a 100% breathable product.  In a climates such as the Mid-Atlantic or regions that experience dramatic freeze / thaw seasons.

Thanks.