How To Clean Paint Off Brick

• The benefits of removing paint from brick
  • Paint can suffocate the bricks
  • Paintwork needs to be maintained
  • You will need to clean the brickwork frequently
• How to remove paint from brick
• How professionals clean paint from bricks
• Contact us today

Removing paint from brickwork can instantly improve the look of your property and increase its value, among other benefits. However, it is a very difficult and dangerous process, and must be left to brick cleaning specialists.

Here at ICE Cleaning, we offer thorough and effective brick and stone cleaning. Our technicians have experience removing even the most stubborn substances from brickwork, blockwork, granite, sandstone, and limestone without damaging the surface.

Read on to find out the best ways to clean paint off bricks.

The benefits of removing paint from brick

A fresh coat of paint can boost curb appeal and protect the brick, but it does come with lots of disadvantages. Here are some of the reasons why you should have paint removed from your brickwork:

Paint can suffocate the bricks

Bricks and mortar absorb moisture and need to breathe to let it out. Paint traps the water inside of them which will then exit via weak points in the masonry. This can result in leaks inside your property which may lead to damp and mould.

When the temperatures fall, the water can freeze inside the bricks and expand, putting them at risk of crumbling. Paint might cover up this damage so it could be getting worse without you knowing it.

Paintwork needs to be maintained

When the brickwork deteriorates, the paint can peel and flake with it and be very unsightly to look at. This usually indicates that brick erosion has been going on for a long period of time. It will need to be repainted regularly to maintain its clean, neat look.

You will need to clean the brickwork frequently

Paint can make dirt, mildew, and other stains show up very clearly so the exterior of your home will need to be cleaned often.

How to remove paint from brick

Although there are lots of DIY remedies to remove paint from your exterior brickwork, you must bring in professional cleaners.  

Firstly, cleaning brickwork is a very complicated process. It requires a lot of expertise to ensure you get rid of all traces of the paint without damaging the masonry or endangering your health.

Specialist cleaners will determine the right cleaning method for your brickwork based on the brickwork’s condition, the type of bricks being cleaned, and the paint that needs to be removed.

Brickwork is also very difficult to clean. Bricks are porous and absorb paint so it will be hard to remove when it has already soaked in. Expensive, specialist equipment and products are required including paint strippers, brick acid, pressure washers, brushes, scrapers, and chisels.

The chemicals used to remove paint from brick, like brick acid, can be very dangerous to handle and mix, as well. Without the correct personal protective equipment (PPE), you could be at risk of coming in contact with the acid or inhaling the toxic fumes.

Incorrectly cleaning lead paint, such as sandblasting, can release it into the air and endanger your health, too. Professionals will know how to safely clean your property without harming the health of you and your pets, and damaging your plants.

Some of the paint may be difficult to reach and you may not be able to thoroughly clean all of it. Professionals will be qualified to work at height so they can clean the entire affected area, including difficult-to-reach spots.

Specialist brick cleaners can take care of the entire difficult and dangerous process for you, and give you peace of mind that your property will quickly be restored to its former glory.

How professionals clean paint from bricks

Our technicians will likely use the TORIK cleaning system to remove the paint from your brickwork. It produces a stream of superheated water and steam that can tackle a range of stains and substances, including cleaning spray paint off brick. It is gentle and effective for use on all types of brick masonry.

Some professional cleaners may also use pressure washing and sandblasting to remove paint from exterior brickwork. Although these methods are not always recommended, they will test a small area first to ensure it gets rid of the paint effectively without affecting the bricks underneath.

Contact us today

Our technicians can use non-toxic, chemical-free solutions to thoroughly remove all the paint from your property. They are accredited by several organisations including CSCS, IPAF, and SafeContractor. We operate nationwide, 24/7, and can be on site in a matter of hours in an emergency.

To book our technicians for brick and stone cleaning, call our friendly team on 0208 066 0360 or send an email to enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk.