Brick Cleaning High Pressure
High Pressure Brick Cleaning
Brick cleaning is quite a common task for us at Astute, however there doesn’t seem to be anything written about it. Brick can be tricky things to work with. The incorrect combination of cleaning products or using the wrong tools could easily mean that a job is ruined before it even starts. Fortunately, at Astute, we have a wealth of knowledge and many years of experience behind us to ensure that every job is done properly and efficiently every time.
Brick Cleaning Preparation
When preparing what is needed for an upcoming brick clean, we always consider a few things of great importance.
The first of these is the tools we will be using to complete the clean. Turbo or rotary heads on the high-pressure cleaner would likely cause irreparable damage to the brickwork and should not be used.
Second to this, we always endeavour to carry out a small sample area to ensure that right cleaning products are used to suit the bricks that have been laid. Using the wrong products can do as much damage as using the wrong head on the pressure cleaner.
Cleaning the Wall
When commencing a brick wall cleaning, prepping the wall before even touching it with a high-pressure cleaner is of the utmost importance. Any large chunks of mortar must be removed with a hand tool, such as a chisel, as it cannot be expected that they will be removed through the cleaning process alone.
The wall must be thoroughly saturated with clean water. Once this is done, the appropriate cleaning product is applied, starting at the top and working down in small areas. This should be applied with a soft broom or low-pressure sprayer with a maximum 40 psi. Applying acid solutions under high pressure is not recommended, it is harmful to the operator, to adjoining property and can drive the cleaning solution further than is necessary into the masonry possibly causing further staining.
Any cleaning product must be let to sit on the wall for a few minutes. This is to allow the chemical reaction to take place on the bricks. In Queensland or Western Australia, a shorter wait time is advised as leaving it for too long may lead to secondary staining.
The wall is then washed with a high-pressure water cleaner from top to bottom, flushing out any dissolved mortar particles. The maximum pressure of the pump should be low, approximately 7000 to 8000 kPa (1000 to 1200 psi). This is to prevent any damage to either the bricks or the mortar. Always use a wide nozzle angle (15°) and be sure to keep it, maintaining a 500mm distance from the wall.
Finishing Up
A second treatment may be required to get the best results. Any lumps or smears will need to be removed and then the same process followed for the second round.
Once the cleaning is finished, all sand and dirt are rinsed from surrounding the eaves, walls, and windows. Once the wall has started to dry, check to see if any further cleaning is required.
This is a process that we have developed over many years and it is one that always gets results. No matter the type of brick, we ensure all surfaces are treated with respect to guarantee perfect results every time.
