Cleaning brick?
Hi everyone, excuse my ignorance, but I’ve never lived with the oft-sought “exposed brick.” The stairs in our duplex are brick. It’s nice, but dirty…it looks like it has some kind of whitish stuff. Should I post a pic? I’m not sure how to do that. Also, I have a working fireplace so it’s got…
Hi everyone,
excuse my ignorance, but I’ve never lived with the oft-sought “exposed brick.” The stairs in our duplex are brick. It’s nice, but dirty…it looks like it has some kind of whitish stuff. Should I post a pic? I’m not sure how to do that. Also, I have a working fireplace so it’s got a little soot. I’ve never made a fire and I’m not immediately planning on cleaning it like I want to with the stairs. But never have had brick in an apt before, I don’t know what to use to clean it. I have a bucket and scrubby bush, but feel like I’m missing something. Any ideas?
Muriatic acid would work – brush on & rinse off – elbow grease might be needed. Be sure to wear protective gear – esp. eyes.
Try to use peel-a-way, bit costly but no dust. may take you few more sheets but works great. homedepot have it and so lowes. best of luck
If we’d grinded our brick wall at our old coop all the old mortar would have come out! Don’t do that unless you want to repoint the entire wall. I’ve heard vinegar to clean efflorescence. And a stiff brush.
I was recently told by an architect that it’s the exterior-most parts of the brick, the parts that are most exposed to the heat when made, that are the strongest. Do not grind or sandblast brick.
yes, post a picture.
The white gunk is efflorescence.
http://www.dumondchemicals.com/html/saveframe.html
Try one of the SAFE N EASY products, I wouldn’t recommend using a grinder on brick, unless wants to compromise the integrity.
Christ on a pony! Is that really what it takes to get white gunk off brick? When water and a scrubby failed I figured there was some kind of dangerous chemical made for cleaning dirty household masonry (preferably something that leaves just enough residue for the dog to lick.)
is brick porous? I have some dangerous ideas, but will just let the white gunk stay if it becomes too adversarial.
Hey, I had the same problem, and I bought a corded bench grinder at Home Depot. It worked brilliantly, although I will say this:
1) We went through 6 braided steel wheels to do maybe 400 sq ft of brick wall
2) The dust and rubble generated is considerable, and launches off the wall at very high speeds. You will need to seal off the room very tightly, cover anything of value in the room (wood trim, appliances, etc.) with cardboard and then a drop cloth, wear good goggles, a NIOSH respirator, gloves, and heavy clothing.
3) Your bricks will end up looking a -little- deformed; they will not have that perfect ‘newly pointed’ look.
And of course, I’m not a lawyer, your mileage may vary, and don’t try this at home. Best of luck,
Bret