Brick cleaning is the removal of mortar residue, smears and various stains that appear within the brickwork. There are many methods to clean bricks but to get the best results for your job requires the services of a qualified professional. Doing this yourself or using the services of an inexperienced handy man may cause irreparable damage to the brick work and mortar and could possibly void the warranty from the brick manufacturer.

Bricks laid on the outer side of your wall face constant exposure to the elements. From sunlight, dirt, pollutants and even vandals, anything can deteriorate the bricks over time. This is why it’s very important to have them cleaned regularly to preserve the quality of your brick masonry.

What factors need to be considered when cleaning bricks?

Type of Bricks – Matching the appropriate chemicals to the correct brick type is important. Certain type of bricks requires different chemicals and cleaning methods.

Weather – Weather has a huge effect on the reaction rate and drying time of the cleaning agent. Cold weather may freeze the water we use while the heat can dry up the cleaning solution and leave stains on the bricks.

Age of the bricks – When it comes to old brickwork you need to carefully search for any signs of damage or wear and tear. Depending on the severity of the case, the bricks may need to be repaired first before the clean-up. Any unsecured seals may cause further damage during washing and can ultimately affect the structural integrity of the building.

Protective Gear – While we do make sure that our cleaning agents do not harm the bricks we’re using them on, we’re still working with chemicals that can be harmful to the human body. Using protective clothing and accessories is very important during the clean-up process.

Mortar mix ratio – Mortar mix ratio is important to consider as this determines the PSI (pressure used) and how much chemical is being applied.