Whenever you endeavor to clean brick, whether it is indoor or out and no matter what you’re cleaning off of the brick, you must be very careful not to damage it. Start with the least aggressive cleaning approach and scale it up until you find the gentlest one that works.
Table of Contents:
What Kind of Bricks?
Different types of substances that may need to be removed, from mortar to moss, will require a different method of attack and a different cleaning agent.
- How to Clean Exterior Brick – Includes removal instructions for paint, cement, oil, and moss/mold.
- How to Clean a Brick Fireplace
- How to Clean a Brick Floor
Some Tips for Cleaning Bricks
- Don’t assume that old mortar needs to be replaced; avoid replacing it unless you really have to. Old mortar is usually of a higher lime content than replacement mortar, and the high Portland cement content of new mortar can damage old walls beyond repair.
- Don’t seal bricks with a water repellent (i.e., water seal) because it will seal any moisture that is already in the brick inside the brick, and interior moisture may not be able to escape. Allowing bricks to breathe is important.
- Use wooden, plastic or rubber buckets, wooden scrapers and stiff fiber brushes to clean brick.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
clening bricks do i use acids every one says yes it works to take off white cover on bricks
everyone i talk to says use 600 cleaner on exposed
inside brick walls i wire brushed it off but still
mortar smears what do i do thanks mitchell
want my natural red brick fireplace back
my fireplace in my living room has been painted a few times atleast, it should be the regular red brick how can i repair it back to the was before painted?