Walking down the street, how often do we see extremely dirty brick facades? This is very common to find in many buildings in the city, we see the blackened, whitish, eroded by rain… but the question is, how can you clean bricks and perform the wall cleaning?
In this post, we are going to tell you step by step how you can carry out brick cleaning and what tools you need to do it. The only things you need first are tools such as a metal brush, a brush with nylon or stiff bristles, a bucket, a broom, a putty knife, and a hose.
For cleaning bricks, whether from a facade or a surface, it is necessary to have the elements that we have mentioned above. When we get these walls, we must then purchase muriatic acid and a product to waterproof them.
When we have everything ready, let’s start!
STEP 1: How to start professional wall cleaning for brick surfaces?
Initially, it is advisable to sweep the bricks with a brush throughout the wall or surface, insisting on each of its bricks. With this procedure, we will eliminate the dust and cobwebs that the wall or surface has.
STEP 2. Scraping process of wall cleaning for bricks surfaces
To continue with the cleaning, we have to scratch the brick before wetting it or applying any product. We have to carry out this process with the metal brush, since having the hardest bristles will allow us to drag the dirt better. Once we have removed those areas which are stained, we need to rub them before moving on to another area.
It is very important that we do not use the metal brush with a wet surface, since we could damage or scratch it if we rub too hard.
STEP 3. Identify the type of stain
Once we scrape the surface, we have to clean the brick of the wall or floor on which we are working. Before using any product, it is important that we identify the origin of the stains, since depending on where they come from, we will act in a certain way.
TYPES OF STAINS:
- It is quite common for white spots to appear on the legs. Using vinegar will allow us to remove these stains since it is a natural and efficient way to eliminate stains. To get rid of these white spots, it is necessary to moisten the surface slightly with a cloth soaked in vinegar. After applying it, we must let it rest, and when some time passes we pour water on it. Whether we remove we can repeat the stains if necessary.
- Grease stains: To get rid of these types of stains, we must dilute powdered detergent in water and with a splash of dishwashing detergent. These two products together are good for removing these types of stains. With the help of a stiff bristle brush, we must rub over the stains in circles and let the mixture act for a few minutes. Then we rinse it, which we can do with a hose or pressurized water gun.
- Saline efflorescence stains: To remove this type of stain, we must use muriatic acid diluted in water. Since the product is quite corrosive, there must be more water added than it. To apply it, we will use a hard bristle brush and rub it over the surface. We will let the mixture rest for a while and then we will clarify it.
- Mold stains: To remove mold stains we will need to make a mixture of bleach and warm water. We must use water in greater proportion than chlorine, as we did in the previous step. With our hands protected with gloves, we will apply the diluted solution to the surface and rub until we can remove the stain. Then we will let the walls rest and then we will rinse them with the help of a hose.
- Paint stains: When removing this type of paint stain, we must remember we need to use muriatic acid diluted in water. Once we have this mixture, before applying the product to the surface, we must scrape the paint off the wall until we can remove it. After this step, we apply the muriatic acid diluted in water with a stiff bristle brush and rub it over the stained part. Let it dry and then rinse it off with pressurized water.
STEP 4. Rinse in wall cleaning
As we have been able to explain in the previous step, to clean the bricks efficiently, we must let the mixture that we apply rest and then rinse it with water.
Once the brick is dry and the surface is clean, we recommend it waterproofing the wall with a special product. The surface of this product will be resistant to many stains. To apply it evenly, help yourself with a brush.
If you have any of these types of stains on the facade of your home and you think it is time to clean the bricks, contact us. We will be happy to help you.