How to get your brick wall cleaner

The walls of your home protect you from the elements, but this means they are constantly exposed to bad weather, dirt and pollutants in the air. If the bricks of your house are looking worse for wear, hiring a brick cleaner or doing the job yourself could pull back the years.

Cleaning brick pavers and walls can make a home look as good as new and enhance its curb appeal if you're looking to sell. On the other hand, a bad brick cleaning job can damage brickwork permanently, so it's important to get it right.

Depending on the type of bricks, dirt or stains you have, cleaning walls may only require a simple bucket and brush or hiring a pressure washer. If you're using an acid or chemical brick cleaner, make sure the brick is fully wet before it's applied and use appropriate safety equipment.

Read this guide to find out more about:

• How to clean a brick wall
• How to clean paint off brick
• Cleaning mortar off bricks
• Removing organic growth
• Cleaning brick pavers from oil and tar
• Getting quotes for a professional brick cleaner

How to clean a brick wall

Depending on the type of bricks and the type of dirt or stains you have, cleaning walls may only require a simple bucket and brush or hiring a pressure washer for more stubborn dirt.

Pressure washing is the faster and more convenient option, especially for reaching the walls of upper storeys without having to use a ladder, but it may damage more fragile bricks.

A stiff bristle brush can be an alternative to pressure washing for removing stuck-on dirt from bricks, but you'll need a softer brush to remove dust particles and avoid causing damage.

If you're using an acid or chemical brick cleaner, make sure the brick is fully wet before it's applied and use appropriate safety equipment to protect yourself from burns.

How to clean paint off brick

For paint or graffiti removal, you'll need to use a commercial paint remover and organic solvents to avoid damaging the brick. After most of the paint has been stripped or loosened, use soft brushes to remove the rest.

Abrasive brushes and scraping are not recommended to clean paint off brick, as these may damage the surface. If there's a risk that your home might have lead paint, you should call a professional to avoid releasing harmful toxins.

Cleaning mortar off bricks

Mortar stains may be left behind on brick after laying. Brick cleaners use a hydrochloric acid solution to remove these, which needs to be used carefully to avoid staining or damaging the brick.

Cleaning mortar off bricks during the laying and covering completed sections of the wall will reduce the need to remove mortar stains later.

Removing organic growth

Brick is porous, so it can harbour algae, moss, lichen and other organic and microbial growth over time. A brick cleaner may use a specialised biocide product to remove these growths, but you can get similar results using household weed killer or general bleach.

Make sure you follow the safety instructions when using chemical cleaners.

Cleaning brick pavers from oil and tar

Oil and tar are common stains on brick paving and driveways. The best method of cleaning brick pavers from oil spills is to use a commercial oil and tar stain remover. This loosens the oil, which can then be rinsed away using water.

Larger tar deposits may be removed by a professional brick cleaner applying dry ice or compressed carbon dioxide. These make the tar brittle so it can be pried or scraped off the brick and cleaned.

Getting quotes for a professional brick cleaner

Calling in the professionals to freshen up your bricks with high pressure cleaning or specialised cleaning products will give you the best results, avoid damaging your walls and means you'll avoid the safety risks of using chemicals and working at height.

Provide as much information as possible about the type of bricks and the type of cleaning you need so a brick cleaner can give you a more accurate quote. The cost to clean a brick wall or clean paint off brick depends on the surface area you need cleaning, the methods and products used and other factors.