If you’re looking for ways to clean a stained brick house, there are a few different options that you can try. Some of these methods may be easier than others, and some will work better for certain types of stains than others.
A brick house is excellent but can also be a pain to clean. This can be caused by several factors, such as tree sap, mould, algae, and dirt/grime.
Luckily, there’s no reason why you should worry about cleaning your brick wall. As long as you have some basic supplies at hand (and maybe a little bit of elbow grease), you’ll be able to get that old-timey look back in no time. And once you’ve finished cleaning your home, you’ll probably want to keep up on the maintenance—but that’s where we come in! We’ve put together this guide to help anyone who wants to keep their painted brick houses looking good year-round.
Ways to Clean A Stained Brick House
We’ve all been spending a little more time outdoors lately, haven’t we? Maybe you were hosting a small BBQ or even just playing with the kids and noticed that your brickworkbrick work could use a good cleaning. The thing is though, you might be a little stumped on how to clean your stained brick house. You want it done properly and effectively. There is good news though. There are a few easy ways you can do it yourself!
Let’s dig right into some ways to clean a stained brick house. There’s nothing quite like a fresh and clean exterior!
Cleaning A Brick Stained House – Muriatic Acid
For this cleaning option, it’s of the utmost importance to take great caution. Muriatic acid works well to clean brick, but it’s also a dangerous substance to work with. It’s an industrial-strength solution of hydrogen chloride gas dissolved in water. You’re going to want protective gear like gloves, goggles and a mask. Also, be sure to use drop cloths.
Also, another thing to remember about using muriatic acid is that it needs to be diluted. One part acid to 10 parts water. Dip your brush carefully into the solution and apply it to your brick. Once you have the surface covered, allow it to sit for a few moments. Carefully rinse the solution off with hose water. It’s recommended to carefully and safely dispose of the acid after you’re done with it as well.
Phosphoric Acid
Phosphoric acid is another good option for cleaning your stained brick house. It is a crystalline acid that can be used to clean different types of masonry as well as concrete.
Phosphoric acid is a much less potent and less dangerous option than muriatic acid. It’s a safer heavy-duty cleaning agent, but you do need to protect yourself with gloves and goggles.
Simply spray your bricks with water from your hose. Dilute the phosphoric acid with water, one part acid to three parts water. Apply the solution to your bricks with a nylon scrub brush and leave it to sit for 5 – 10 minutes. Scrub each section as you go and thoroughly rinse with water.
This cleaning product can be used in your home to remove stains from bricks, mortar, and other concrete surfaces. The chemical breakdown of TSP-PF works by dissolving the calcium carbonate on the surface of your brick house, removing the discoloration caused by sun exposure. It also works as an antibacterial agent and has antifungal properties as well.
The best thing about using TSP-PF to clean your stained brick house? It’s safe for humans and pets! In fact, it’s considered non-hazardous, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not it’s safe for your skin or lungs.
How to Clean Bricks Without Acid
If you don’t have any acid or don’t want to use muriatic acid, there are some other options available.
Cleaning A Stained Brick House – Pressure Washing
This option for cleaning is actually a fun one, especially for those of you who like to get some powerful tools out! A surefire way to be able to get the exterior of your house clean is by using a pressure washer.
How to clean a brick house with a pressure washer?
Basically, the water enters the machine at low pressure and a motorized pump sprays it out at high pressure. It’s one of the easiest ways to clean your stained brick house because the washer can reach spots higher up.
It can be helpful to soak your bricks with regular water when you’re getting started. After it’s wet, use a low-pressure steam and a lot of your pressure washer detergent. Allow the cleaning detergent to sit for about 10 minutes. It works to remove those dirt-soaked spots from the brick. This is when you use high pressure to remove the detergent. Ensure all residue is washed away. You might have to go over a few spots again if you see a white build-up.
How to Clean Bricks with Vinegar
One way to clean your brick wall is with vinegar, which removes dirt and stains from the bricks while also helping to preserve their colour.
- • Before you begin, prepare your cleaning solution by mixing equal parts water and vinegar in a bucket or spray bottle. You can also use lemon juice instead of vinegar if you prefer its smell.
- • Next, apply the solution to the brick walls using a sponge or cloth and let it sit for about 15 minutes so that it has time to soak into the bricks and loosen any dirt or stains that may be on them.
- • After this time has passed, rinse off all residue left behind by the cleaning solution using warm water from your garden hose or a sponge soaked in warm water until no more dirt remains visible on your brick walls.
Don’t Forget About Good Ol’ Soap and Water!
It’s important to remember that you can come back to the basics when cleaning your stained brick house too. Simply make a mixture of mild laundry detergent and water. Or you can even make your own paste mixture of dishwater soap and baking soda. Put these solutions on the brick, giving it a good soak, scrub and rinse!
How to Clean a White Brick House
If you have a white brick house and you want to keep it that way, then you should avoid using harsh chemicals like muriatic acid. You can still clean your bricks, though! Fortunately, there are plenty of options available.
1. Use a mixture of water and baking soda.
This will help break down any dirt on your bricks while providing a mild alkaline solution that won’t damage them over time like acid would. Mix a baking soda and water paste, apply it to your bricks, and let it sit for about fifteen minutes. Then scrub the mixture into the bricks with a soft brush, rinse off any residue, and pat dry.
2. Consider using a bleach-based cleaner.
This will help keep the white colour of your bricks and is much safer than using an acid-based cleaning solution. You’ll still need to wear protective gear like gloves, goggles, and a mask when cleaning with bleach, though!
If neither one of these methods works for you, then consider getting professional help! There are many different types of cleaning and painting services in Toronto that specialize in removing stains from brick buildings and brick staining too! They might be able to do the job more efficiently than we regular folks could manage ourselves at home without having any experience cleaning up after ourselves properly.
If you’re in need of some painting inspiration, head over to our Pinterest page!
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