The best rule of thumb for how often you should clean brick is once to twice a year. Brick is a rugged material that benefits from a distressed or weathered appearance, but to keep it free from dust or to wipe off debris from outside elements, cleaning once to twice a year is perfectly fine.
Keep brick walls, floors and fireplaces clean and inviting with these simple tips. Brick is built to last, but it does need care and cleaning. Whether you're cleaning the bricks on the exterior walls of your house or the bricks around your fireplace, these simple tips will help you learn how to clean brick.
Follow the below guide to homeowners maintenance for brick exteriors and you probably won't have to clean your house's facade more than once per year. This is how long it will take for noticeable moss, mildew, pollen and other dirt to accumulate on the brickwork after cleaning.
You need to scrub the dirty bricks with a mixture of table salt and dish soap. The spreadable paste will work well if you are using a bristle brush. Once you have removed the paste with a washcloth, go on and use a sealant to keep the bricks in tip-top condition.
Hydrochloric acid for brick cleaning is available from hardware outlets. The wall MUST be thoroughly saturated, and remember, no matter how dirty the wall is NEVER use more than 1 part of hydrochloric acid to 10 parts of water. It helps to start by using 1 part acid to 15 parts water mixture.
WD-40 may remove paint stuck to brick if applied directly and in large quantities, allowing it to sit on the surface for a few hours.
Muriatic acid is a powerful and corrosive acidic liquid made from hydrochloric acid, water, and other trace minerals. This product is a very strong acid that will clean dried cement products off stones, bricks, and other masonry surfaces.
Avoid High Pressure
Too high a pressure can damage the brick itself or the grout holding it together. As a result, the bricks can become loose and make the wall unstable. It can also cause water to penetrate the wall easier, weakening the brick further.
According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (IACHI), brick buildings are built to last 100 years or more. Of course, that only happens with proper maintenance and normal wear and tear. Routine inspections help identify sources of leaks, damaged mortar and cracks.
30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner offers a powerful clean on outdoor surfaces like a concrete patio, wood decking, concrete sidewalks, asphalt driveways, bricks, canvas awnings, plastic furniture and vinyl siding.
Builders soak the bricks because it inhibits them from sucking all the moisture from the mortar. If these porous bricks were left completely dry, they would essentially “steal” the water from the mortar, leaving the compound less effective.
If vinegar does not work on your hardscape, you can use bleach. To create a powerful mold-killing mixture, you can add one cup of bleach to a gallon of water. However, you should exercise meticulous care and caution since bleach can discolor your brick pavers and thus ruin your precious hardscape.
An annual inspection of your brick structure is a must, and should take into account every aesthetic as well as the functional factor of the brick. One way to do this is to spray the surface, using the pressure of the water to check for any weak spots in the mortar, which could lead to leaks and many other issues.
Mix Dawn and baking soda into a paste to clean detailed brickwork. For old brick, always try the least abrasive method and work your way up. Use a sturdy bristle brush when it comes to fireplace brick cleaning.
Cleaning bricks with vinegar is an effective and natural way to remove dirt and stains. However, it is essential to follow proper techniques to ensure the brick surface's safety and achieve the best possible results.
Brick cleaning should only be undertaken by a trained professional. A hydrochloric acid solution is commonly used to remove mortar stains from clay brickwork. Any acid used incorrectly can damage the brick or cause unsightly staining and can be more difficult to repair.
Scrubbing With Bleach
If you have stubborn stains on your brick but don't have a power washer, you can try scrubbing. Simply mix a 10% solution of chlorine bleach to water in a bucket. Scrub the area with a stiff-bristle brush. Once you remove the stains, rinse the brick thoroughly with clean water.
Cemelex contains a high strength Hydrochloric Acid (25%) which means that this is one of the strongest formulations available for brickwork cleaning and descaling. Industrial Hydrochloric Acid is only manufactured up to approximately 36% strength due to the difficulties involved in handling and evaporation.
One of the best ways to prevent brick deterioration is to keep your brick exteriors dry. Since you can't wrap your home in a giant poncho every time it rains, it's important to identify certain problem areas that are most susceptible to water damage.
6. Age of Structure – All manufactured brick have some degree of porosity and because of this are subject to the accumulation of atmospheric dust and dirt over a period of years. This is a natural weathering process but can cause brick of slightly high porosity to darken faster than those of lower porosity.