How To Clean A Brick Wall

• What are the different stains on your brick wall?
• Why you should not clean brickwork yourself
• The benefits of professional brick cleaning
• How to maintain your brick wall
• Get in touch

Stains and grime on your brick wall don't just look unsightly, they can lower the value of your property and even cause the brickwork to deteriorate. Regular, thorough cleaning is essential to prolong the life of your brickwork and keep it looking pristine. 

Here at ICE Cleaning, we offer our professional brick and stone cleaning services nationwide. Our fully trained brick cleaners have access to the latest specialist equipment and eco-friendly, non-abrasive cleaning solutions. We call remove dirt, stains, paint, and graffiti without damaging the surface underneath. 

Keep reading to find out how to clean your brick wall and maintain it in the future. 

What are the different stains on your brick wall?

The appearance of your brick wall can be marred by a variety of stains including graffiti, paint splatters, and cement and mortar stains. But some of the unsightly marks have different causes and effects, making them tricky to remove.

Efflorescence

These white, powdery stains are a common sight on bricks. It happens when water seeps into the bricks and dissolves salts within them. As the water vanishes, it leaves these salt particles on the surface.

Mould and Mildew

If there's dampness in or around your brickwork, mould or mildew might grow on it, usually as greenish-black spots. They are not only unattractive growths but also potentially harmful to health.

Rust Stains

These orange streaks across the surface of the bricks are caused by metal fixtures oxidising over time due to weather exposure.

Some of these stains will naturally be washed away by the rain, but some require different removal methods, including harmful cleaning solutions like brick and oxalic acid. 

Why you should not clean brickwork yourself

Brick wall cleaning might seem a straightforward do-it-yourself job, particularly with the number of brick cleaning hacks shared online. However, you could potentially cause more damage and make your brick wall look worse if cleaned incorrectly. 

First off, bricks are porous materials that absorb water quickly. Using high-pressure cleaning methods might push water deeper into the bricks which could later cause damage through efflorescence and delamination. 

The incorrect use of chemicals is another pitfall for non-professionals. Some cleaners, like acid-based solutions, can alter the colour of your bricks or even corrode them over time, damaging their integrity and appearance. 

The safety risks of brick cleaning should not be overlooked, either. Brick cleaning acid, for example, is toxic and can damage the nose, throat, and lungs when inhaled. It is very dangerous to mix and handle without the correct training and personal protective equipment. 

Cleaning at height without proper equipment or training could put you at risk of falling and getting injured, too. 

The benefits of professional brick cleaning

You should always leave brick wall cleaning to professionals who have the expertise to determine the best way to clean your brick wall, and can put all the necessary safety measures in place.

Trained brick cleaning experts also have access to the tools required for removing even the most stubborn grime from your property without harming the brickwork. They will use eco-friendly solutions that will not harm your surroundings or put people's health at risk. 

Professionals can save you time and effort, as well. Tackling stubborn stains on a large surface area like a wall can be time-consuming for an amateur. Brick cleaners have experience dealing with all types of stains, so they get the job done quicker.

Experts can even protect the integrity of the brickwork during cleaning. A common mistake made when cleaning brick walls is over-scrubbing which can wear away at the mortar holding bricks together. Professionals know exactly how much pressure to apply while scrubbing without damaging integrity of walls.

Properly cleaned bricks last longer since harmful substances are removed before they cause serious damage, too. Regular professional cleaning can extend the lifespan of your brick wall significantly.

How to maintain your brick wall

You don't need to be a trained brick cleaning professional to keep your brick wall in good condition. Periodic inspection is essential to spot any damage or staining on the brick wall. Small cracks, loose bricks, bowing, and bulging need attention before they escalate into more serious problems.

You should also inspect weep holes to make sure they are not clogged and, if they are, remove blockages so freezing water cannot damage the bricks. You should get rid of climbing pants and weeds growing across the brick wall or they could damage it, too.

As soon as you spot problems with your masonry, bring in brick cleaning professionals, like our technicians, to take care of the problem. You can find out more about maintaining your brickwork here. 

Get in touch

We offer a wide range of brick and stone cleaning services including paint removal, stone floor cleaning, algae removal, and TORIK cleaning. Our technicians are stationed across the UK and are available around the clock, 365 days a year. In an emergency, they can be on site within several hours.

Contact our team today on 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk to get a free site survey and no-obligation quote for our brick cleaning services.