How Do I... Clean Exterior Bricks?
An expert reveals the best methods for cleaning outdoor brickwork and getting your exterior looking its finest
With summer right around the corner, the focus is once again on our outdoor areas. Stained and dirty exterior brickwork and pavers aren’t just an eyesore, but can be a real slip hazard too. We’ve asked Elizabeth McIntyre, CEO of Think Brick Australia, to reveal how to remove the most common marks and stains, and return your brickwork to its glorious best.
What about moss and mould?
Make a cleaning solution by mixing equal parts water and bleach, and spray this onto the affected parts of the brick. Then use a natural or nylon-bristle scrubbing brush to scrape away mould or moss.
When working with bleach, it’s important to take the necessary safety precautions to prevent harming yourself or the environment. Always wear rubber gloves and eye protection while you’re scrubbing to ensure that the bleach mixture does not touch your skin, face or eyes.
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Make a cleaning solution by mixing equal parts water and bleach, and spray this onto the affected parts of the brick. Then use a natural or nylon-bristle scrubbing brush to scrape away mould or moss.
When working with bleach, it’s important to take the necessary safety precautions to prevent harming yourself or the environment. Always wear rubber gloves and eye protection while you’re scrubbing to ensure that the bleach mixture does not touch your skin, face or eyes.
Bag of Tricks: A Guide to Bagging Brick Walls
Can I use a high-pressure cleaner?
Yes you can, but you’ll need to keep the water pressure to a moderate level, not stand too close to the brickwork, and choose the correct spraying angle so you don’t damage the brick face and mortar.
Set the water pressure between 1000 and 1200psi, keep the jet of water around 500mm from the wall (and never closer than 300mm for localised patches), and the spray angle at 15 degrees (this will allow you to concentre the pressure on the bricks rather than the joints).
Yes you can, but you’ll need to keep the water pressure to a moderate level, not stand too close to the brickwork, and choose the correct spraying angle so you don’t damage the brick face and mortar.
Set the water pressure between 1000 and 1200psi, keep the jet of water around 500mm from the wall (and never closer than 300mm for localised patches), and the spray angle at 15 degrees (this will allow you to concentre the pressure on the bricks rather than the joints).
Any tips for success?
It’s very important to fully saturate the entire face of the brickwork and the area below it with water before and after applying the cleaning solution. Saturating the wall before you begin will keep the solution on the face of the masonry where the stains are situated. And it is just as important to fully saturate the area afterwards as any cleaning solution left behind can cause stains.
When cleaning, aim to treat between 2 and 6 square metres at a time, depending on the weather, the location of the masonry, and how quickly your bricks absorb water.
Declutter Your Gutter, Save Your House
It’s very important to fully saturate the entire face of the brickwork and the area below it with water before and after applying the cleaning solution. Saturating the wall before you begin will keep the solution on the face of the masonry where the stains are situated. And it is just as important to fully saturate the area afterwards as any cleaning solution left behind can cause stains.
When cleaning, aim to treat between 2 and 6 square metres at a time, depending on the weather, the location of the masonry, and how quickly your bricks absorb water.
Declutter Your Gutter, Save Your House
How do I remove smoke and soot marks from a brick barbecue?
First, clear any debris such as ash or wood chunks from your barbecue area . Then remove as much of the soot as possible from the area with a vacuum or brush.
Next, prepare your cleaning solution. Smoke and soot marks are best removed with sugar soap, which is a highly alkaline mixture. Mix 500 grams of sugar soap into 2 litres of hot water, then clean the area with a scrubbing brush. After you’ve done this, scrub the surface of the brick with a mix of detergent and scouring powder.
It’s very important to stay protected when removing smoke and soot marks from exterior brickwork. You should always use proper eye protection to avoid any loose soot or spray from getting in your eyes.
First, clear any debris such as ash or wood chunks from your barbecue area . Then remove as much of the soot as possible from the area with a vacuum or brush.
Next, prepare your cleaning solution. Smoke and soot marks are best removed with sugar soap, which is a highly alkaline mixture. Mix 500 grams of sugar soap into 2 litres of hot water, then clean the area with a scrubbing brush. After you’ve done this, scrub the surface of the brick with a mix of detergent and scouring powder.
It’s very important to stay protected when removing smoke and soot marks from exterior brickwork. You should always use proper eye protection to avoid any loose soot or spray from getting in your eyes.
My bricks have brown, rust-like stains. How do I get rid of these?
This is an iron oxide stain. It’s most obvious on cream bricks but can show up on darker bricks too. Iron oxide stains frequently result from the incorrect use of hydrochloric acid on clay masonry.
See more gorgeous brick houses
This is an iron oxide stain. It’s most obvious on cream bricks but can show up on darker bricks too. Iron oxide stains frequently result from the incorrect use of hydrochloric acid on clay masonry.
See more gorgeous brick houses
You can remove iron oxide stains with phosphoric acid (check with your local hardware store). Spray a mix of 1 part phosphoric acid and 6 parts water onto the affected area. Leave it to dry until the marks disappear. Repeat to ensure that all deeply embedded stains are removed.
And remember, always take proper precautions when handling acids.
And remember, always take proper precautions when handling acids.
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If you found this story useful, don’t forget to like, bookmark or share it. Or tell us in the Comments section below – join the conversation.
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Read more cleaning stories
Bricks that are covered in dirt and grime are easy to take care of. Simply rinse the bricks with a mixture of water and liquid detergent and use a fibre or soft bronze bristle brush to scrub them clean.