Technical Infomation

How to Care for Clay Brickwork

General tips

• Prevention is better than cure. Always cover the brickwork during building or renovating operations to prevent paint and mortar stains.


• Staining can mar the appearance of brickwork but incorrect cleaning techniques can cause permanent damage. Always test any proposed cleaning method on a small, unobtrusive area and examine after a week before tackling the job.


• Know your limitations. The following techniques are intended to help you remove relatively small areas of staining. Hire a specialist contractor for large areas of brickwork.


• Use wooden scrapers or stiff fibre brushes in order to avoid damaging the bricks.


• Wet the brickwork with clean water before applying chemical solutions in order to prevent the bricks from absorbing the chemicals. Rinse thoroughly after the chemical application. Remember to protect metal window frames, doors, plants etc from chemical splashes.


• Most of the chemicals quoted below are caustic, acidic or poisonous. Wear protective clothing and goggles when using them.


• Volatile solvents should only be used indoors under conditions of good ventilation


• Identify the type of stain or deposit before undertaking any cleaning operation.


• Unsightly staining often occurs when bricks are laid incorrectly. Bricklaying must be undertaken in a professional manner.

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Efflorescence

This white furry deposit is the crystallization of soluble salts on or below the surface of brickwork. It is caused by the evaporation of water containing the salts inside the brickwork. Efflorescence is usually washed away by a shower of rain but if it persists, can be removed with a stiff bristle brush.