Commercial and residential structures made of brick have a more upscale appearance, improved value, and excellent property protection. Brick has been a preferred material for many years due to its elegant, classic appearance. But over time, filth, grime, and even moss can discolor your home's exterior and make it unappealing.
If you haven't cleaned your brick in a while, you may notice mildew or algae forming on the bricks or in the grout lines. If that's the case, you might be wondering if you can clean the brick by power washing it. Periodic maintenance and cleaning are needed to maintain the bricks on your building or home and to ensure they reach their ultimate longevity.
Fortunately, a pressure washer may bring back the original beauty of your brick. However, there are a few things you need to consider before pressure or power washing your beautiful brick home or commercial space.
Can You Pressure Wash Brick?
The short answer is yes. Brick structures can be power-washed. However, it's crucial to keep in mind that brick cannot withstand continuous high pressure like concrete can, according to reputable construction firms and house inspectors.
1. Risks in Power Washing Brick
When power washing brick, there are risks of which to be aware. Brick is a porous material that appears to be strong and durable.
This means that water that meets brick may be drawn within by capillary action using the microscopic holes that make up its surface. If you wash brick too vigorously, you risk waterlogging it and damaging the backside of your home's interior.
Furthermore, power washing and pressure washing, as their names imply, emit a forceful jet of water that, if applied incorrectly, can harm many different types of surfaces.If you apply too much pressure to your brick house, you risk damaging the grout, loosening the bricks, or even breaking them.
When this occurs, your home or commercial building's fragile state makes it more vulnerable to additional damage, water penetration, or significant safety concerns. If you're cleaning the house by yourself, it's crucial to utilize a low-pressure nozzle.
2. Maintain a Safe Distance and Consistent Pattern
When it comes to pressure washing, you need to also think about how far you are from your brick and the pattern you are using while washing. If you hold a power washer, even one with lower pressure, just a few inches away from the surface you are cleaning, it can cause significant damage. Instead, keep in mind to maintain a safe distance in order to protect your surfaces.
Be consistent with your stroke pattern as well; horizontal strokes that are applied from top to bottom are recommended to prevent waterlogging your bricks. Also, keep your stroke pattern between three and four feet broad. This will effectively coat your bricks without wetting them.
3. Older Brick Homes
Homes that are 80 years old or older may be unable to withstand any extreme pressure. Contact your local historical society to find out their cleaning suggestions if you are concerned about the age of the brick on your house or other structure.
If your home is less than 80 years old, it may still be preferable to utilize a low-pressure nozzle or to get in touch with a soft wash professional in your region like Cates Pressure Washing.
4. Damaged Brick Surfaces
Different types of brick respond and hold up better to power washing than others. Your brickwork might be a good candidate for power washing if it is brand-new and undamaged. However, you must fix any flaws in your brick surfaces before using a pressure washer if they are old, chipped, or have significant cracks. If not, the power from the pressure washer may result in more harm.
5. What Detergent to Use?
Brick is particularly vulnerable to wear from washing because it is highly porous, which leaves it full of tiny holes. The wrong detergent for the job will eat away at the porous surface of the brick. Washing all of the detergent away can also be difficult and cause damage to your brick.
Choose a less acidic cleaner for brick. Brick is actually best cleaned by gently washing or using specialized, far softer biodegradable solutions. The structure and integrity of the mortar between your bricks can be compromised by common cleansers like ammonia and muriatic acid, which can also destroy your brick.
6. Hiring a Professional
The technique of power washing may be more complex than you would have initially thought. You have options if you are worried about how to soft wash correctly or if you fear that if you try the project on your own, you will permanently damage the brick's surface. Your project may be completed safely and without causing harm with the assistance of the professionals at Cates Pressure Washing.
Cates Pressure Washing
Tell us more about your project's objectives and ideas by contacting us. We can offer our own expertise to ensure that your project is completed correctly the first time. The crew at Cates Pressure Washing are the most knowledgeable and skilled pressure washing professionals in the area.
Check us out at Cates Pressure Washing if you are interested in receiving a price quote to have your brick home or commercial space pressure washed by professionals. We offer professional and quality work at affordable rates, and we offer a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee to all our customers. Click on this resource page for more information on our brick cleaning services, or contact us to discuss your needs.