How to Clean Brick | Brick Cleaning Guide

Dirt and grime are elements you do not want to see in your home’s exterior. They are just a pain to look, especially since they can destroy your property’s aesthetic value. It holds true that brick is durable and expect to last almost forever. But despite its qualities, it still requires a little maintenance from time to time. And unlike the other exterior surfaces of your home, it requires a different kind of attention from you.

Brick cleaning is an essential method that you need to learn and implement. Sure, you hate the idea of cleaning, but you surely do not want your home to look ugly. But hey, it does not have to be a daunting task. This guide is not only easy to do, but it is also effective in restoring your home’s former glory.

Choose the Correction Solution

Keep in mind that not all bricks are the same. So if you are going to use a certain cleaning solution, it does not mean it is going to work from one brick to another. The first thing you need to do is determine the type of brick your home has. From there, pay your local hardware store a visit and find out which solution is best for usage.

If you hate the idea of using harsh chemicals, there are natural alternatives that you can get away with. A particular natural solution that most homeowners tend to us is the 50/50 ratio of water and vinegar. This combination is so powerful it can refresh the looks of your bricks.

Protect the Area Surrounding Your Brick

This one right here is all about placing a tarp or plastic that can protect the likes of nearby vegetation, plants, or any type of soil. So before you apply the solution mentioned above, make sure to do this first. Remember that the solution you will be using can pose a threat to nearby plants or soil. You definitely do not want to destroy them, as doing so defeats the purpose of enhancing your property’s curb appeal. If you are going to use a commercial solution for cleaning your brick, read the manual carefully and understand how it can affect you or the other things surrounding your brick.

The Brick Absorption Rate Test

It cannot be denied that brick has the potential to be porous, especially when compared to other surfaces. Even more so, it has the ability to react very differently to multiple cleaning agents. Not only do you want to avoid the possibility of destroying its beauty, but you also do not want to compromise its colour quality. So what exactly are going to do here? Well, this is where the brick absorption rate test comes in. Just simply spray water on a small area using a garden hose or whatever tool you prefer. If the brick starts becoming darker, it is best to clean a small area one at a time. If no, you can do so by starting at 100 square feet at a time.

Saturate and Prevent Streak

Saturating is just using water to wet the area. You will need a garden hose to start. Make sure you saturate the cleaned area properly from the top to bottom. The next thing to do is preventing the possibility of a streak. Remember that cleaning solvents tend to run down your house, which is the same as dirt and grime. Your best course of action here is to simply saturate the area you are about to clean. Doing so can prevent having unsightly streaks.

Applying the Cleaning Solution

Once you have saturated the area properly, it is time to apply your go-to cleaning solution. Apart from scrubbing and power washing, make sure to hose down the surface you are cleaning. If you are going to use the vinegar-water combination, it is best to use a hard-bristled brush – or even a broom – to scrub the area. Once done, do not forget to power spray the area after you applied the solution.

Rinse Thoroughly

Now that you have completed the aforementioned steps, it is time to rinse the area. And you do not just rinse it – you have to do so thoroughly. This is important to do, as it makes sure the residue from the cleaning solution you used is removed. As always, wash the brick from top to bottom. Only by doing this method can you guarantee that the brick dries quickly and its quality is restored.