From small indoor brick restoration jobs around fireplaces and windows to larger brick cleaning missions that involve a full house clean, you can get help with all sorts of brick cleaning tasks. Here are a few examples:
Pressure cleaning and acid washing External bricks - like paths, houses, and pool areas - are usually cleaned with a high-pressure hose and water. Your cleaner will start by assessing your bricks, so they can be sure they’re suitable for high-pressure cleaning. Softer bricks and mortar may get damaged if the pressure is too high. Some cleaners may add a small amount of hydrochloric acid (or another specialist non-acidic but abrasive cleaning product) to the water to get you a better, brighter result.
Hand cleaning indoor bricksSmall hand tools such as stiff brushes and cloths, combined with specialist cleaning products are used when cleaning bricks inside the home or for small areas of brickwork. Your cleaner will start by putting protective sheets on the floor and nearby furniture, and dressing in protective clothing. They’ll remove loose dust and dirt using a brush or damp cloth. Next, they’ll mix a cleaning solution and apply it to the brick surfaces. Depending on the condition of your bricks, they’ll either scrub them or leave the solution to sit for a few minutes before wiping it away. Your cleaner will repeat this process until the desired result is achieved.
Mortar removalCleaning mortar off brick is useful if you want to reuse the bricks for another project or if dried mortar splatter is ruining the look of a wall. Whenever possible, your brick cleaner will first remove excess mortar using water, a hammer, and a chisel. Wetting the mortar softens it and your cleaner will carefully chip away until it’s gone. Failing that, your cleaner may soften the mortar by diluting acid in water. They’ll carefully apply the solution to the affected area with a brush and leave it for 5 minutes. Once the mortar has softened, your cleaner will wipe it away with a stiff brush.
Brick paint removalWith specialist tools and some time, cleaning paint off brickwork is relatively simple. In most cases, your brick cleaner will use a chemical paint stripper, testing its reaction and effectiveness on a small area before tackling the whole wall. They’ll apply the solution, covering and removing it in line with the product’s instructions. They’ll easily peel off the paint using a paint scraper, before targeting any lingering tough spots with a wire drill bit or stiff brush and water.
