Cleaning exterior brick walls can be a daunting task. If your surfaces are looking worse for wear and you want to restore their original beauty, Evergreen Window Cleaning & Home Maintenance can help.
As your trusted home maintenance experts in Greater Seattle, we know a thing or two about keeping surfaces clean. This blog post covers everything you need to know when cleaning brick walls, from surface and site preparation to knowing which tools and products to use.
10 Considerations for Cleaning Exterior Brick Walls
For your convenience, we’ve outlined the top ten things to consider when cleaning brick.
Inspect the Condition of Your Bricks
Having strong, damage-free bricks gives you the freedom to use more aggressive cleaners. Meanwhile, loosened or damaged surfaces require a more delicate touch.
Check the Weather Forecast
Mild 50-degree days are ideal for cleaning surfaces like brick, especially when it’s cloudy. Hot or sunny weather can dry out the cleaning solutions too quickly and cause streaking.
Use a Tarp to Hide Nearby Surfaces
Some cleaning solutions can damage plant life or other surfaces like siding. Cover any areas you don’t want to get wet with a tarp or drop cloth.
Wet the Brick
Dry brick tends to absorb cleaning solutions quickly, which can lead to streaking and suboptimal results. To prevent this, use a garden hose to wet the surface before applying cleaner.
Create Your Cleaning Solvent and Apply
Some popular effective brick cleaning solutions include:
- Soap or diluted vinegar for basic cleaning
- One tsp bleach + one-gallon water solution for mold, mildew, and moss removal
- 1/2 cup muriatic acid + one-gallon warm water solution for rust, soil, and mortar stains (always slowly pour acid into water)
Use a Pressure Washer
Pressure washers can quickly blast away dirt, grime, and other buildup on brick walls. However, it’s crucial to use the appropriate settings and techniques to avoid damaging the surface.
Choose the Right Cleaning Method
Cleaning with a soft brush and soapy water is best for weak or damaged bricks. Power washing with gentle settings is typically safe for most bricks in good condition.
Use the Right Tools and Materials
A strong ladder, rubber gloves, safety goggles, and a facemask are must-haves for brick cleaning. You’ll also need a garden hose, pressure washer (if using one), and bucket.
Tips for Cleaning Exterior Brick Walls
Here are a few additional tips on how to clean exterior brick walls:
- Avoid wire brushes as they tend to stain your bricks
- Use a brush with natural or nylon bristles for hard-to-reach areas
- Don’t use any more than a 3,000 PSI pressure washing setting for weakened surfaces
Consider Hiring Professional Cleaners
Different brick materials, weather conditions, and surface types can present unique challenges. If you want the best possible results, consider hiring a professional in exterior cleaning services. You can save time, money, and effort by enlisting the help of industry-leading experts.
Brick Maintenance, Care, and Cleaning
We hope that our tips on cleaning exterior brick walls have been helpful. If you want to avoid the hassle of deep cleaning, don’t wait for your surfaces to get too dirty. Preventative maintenance can go a long way in preserving their original beauty.
Thoroughly wash your brick walls at least once a year to remove dust, dirt, salt, and other harmful contaminants. Not only will this keep them looking great, but it can also help extend their lifespan. Even if your bricks don’t appear to be dirty, it’s always a good idea to scrub them down every now and then to remove deeper-seated grime.
Lastly, repair any cracks or weak spots as soon as possible. These tiny problems can quickly become large, expensive ones when left unchecked. Other steps you can take to care for your brick surfaces include:
- Seal the bricks to protect them from water damage
- Apply a masonry waterproofing agent to help repel water
- Only use a stronger brick cleaner solution as a last resort
- Hire experts to maintain and clean your brick surfaces
Hire Professional Cleaner Now!
If you want to avoid the hassle and potential damage of cleaning your brick walls yourself, partner with Evergreen Window Cleaning & Home Maintenance. We regularly restore properties in the Seattle area and understand the unique challenges of cleaning exterior brick walls. With our experience and top-of-the-line equipment, we’ll have your home looking new in no time.
Call Evergreen Window Cleaning at 206-502-4525 to discuss your cleaning needs today!
