There is nothing like the look and feel of a brand-new brick building. Whether the brick surface is inside or outside, its cleanliness when newly built is simply beautiful. Unfortunately, the post-construction cleaning process is not the easiest. It is of crucial importance that you plan and execute it well, in order to achieve that neat and beautiful new look. What is more, brick is a material that becomes dull and worn out-looking with time.
Even though bricks are durable, the loss of colour, stains, and surface erosion when cleaning them are not uncommon. To avoid that, you should be careful about what solutions and methods you take. In this article, we will share tips and tricks on how to approach such a task. Keep reading to find out how to properly do post-construction cleaning, as well as how to tackle exterior and interior brick walls.
Post-construction cleaning of brick walls
Always start early. If you clean the brick surface before the excess mortar has a chance to get hard, the job will be much easier.
Carefully pick the cleaning solution. Nowadays, there are many different types of bricks used for building walls. For example, concrete bricks require a different approach than clay ones. If you clean a concrete brick like a clay one, you may damage its surface. It is best to find a suitable cleaning solution that is able to get rid of mortar, dirt, and efflorescence all at the same time.
1. Choose a “buffered” cleaner for maximum effectiveness. This type of cleaner will not cause mortar joint deterioration and will leave the masonry clean without any acid burning or streaking.
2. Check the manufacturer’s instructions or ask your builder about any particular products that will be best for the specific type of brick that you are about to clean.
3. Always test the product prior to using it. If you chose to clean with a more aggressive solution that includes some harsher chemicals, do a test in an inconspicuous area of the wall. That way you will be able to notice if some damage, discolouration, or corrosion will occur.
4. Thoroughly wet your walls before applying the solution you chose. This step is extremely important since the surface of the brick is quite porous. If the pores of the masonry are not filled with water, they will instead absorb the cleaner and damage will be caused.
5. Use non-metallic chisels or wooden scrapers to remove any large mortar chunks.
6. Choose carefully between a bucket and brush method, and pressure washing. For the bucket approach, use a natural fibre acid brush.
7. Always work from the bottom up and make sure you keep the wall wet during the process.
Interior brick cleaning
While brick walls are most commonly found outside on fences and exterior walls of buildings, they can also be found inside your home. In fact, brick walls can be quite a beautiful decorative solution for your interior decor. Depending on where the brick wall is found, the types of dirt that can be found on it are very different from the ones on the outdoor walls.
1. Remove any surface dust or dirt. For this step, it is best to use a duster or a vacuum cleaner. Make sure you tackle all corners and get rid of cobwebs as well.
2. Wet the whole surface of the wall using a spray bottle filled with water. This step is the same as the one mentioned above. Do make sure you do not skip it.
3. Choose a suitable cleaner depending on how dirty your bricks are.
4. For a gentle approach, make a solution of warm water and a bit of dish soap. Apply it on the surface of the wall using a grout sponge.
5. For some more stubborn stains, you may need to use a nylon-bristle brush to scrub.
6. Give the brick a final rinse using a clean sponge and plain warm water and let it dry.
Cleaning outdoor brick walls
If you have exposed bricks on the outside of your house, you must maintain them clean and well taken care of at all times. With time, exterior walls suffer damage caused by the elements and annual cleaning is recommended.
1. Pressure washing is the best choice for cleaning exterior brick walls. Keep in mind that some old bricks cannot be pressure washed. If you have a historical house, ask a professional for their opinion.
2. Seal all windows, and remove anything that is not waterproof. Do not forget electrical items.
3. Wear protective glasses and non-slip shoes when using the pressure washer on your wall.
4. Use a low-pressure setting and wet the whole surface of the wall.
5. Apply the detergent starting at the top and working your way down. Let it sit according to the manufacturer’s instructions that you can find on the packaging.
6. Use the pressure washer and rinse the whole surface of the wall. Make sure you are using the correct amount of pressure and you are keeping a suitable distance from the wall.
7. Spot treat any mould and mildew stains by mixing bleach and water and applying this solution to the stained area. Gently scrub with a brush, then rinse thoroughly.