Bucket and brush cleaning is the most widely used method of cleaning newly constructed brick walls in both small and large jobs. A minimum amount of equipment is needed and workmen do not need to be highly skilled. Only the job foreman or supervisor needs to be knowledgeable and experienced.
This method may be used for cleaning all colors and textures of brick. However, care must be used in selecting the proper cleaning solution for the job.
The safest way to determine the proper cleaning solution for a given type of brick is to ask the brick manufacturer for his recommendation.
Muriatic acid has been used for many years in cleaning red brick walls. This material is readily available and is economical. When used in a 10 percent solution (1 part muriatic acid and 9 parts water) and applied under proper conditions, it will satisfactorily clean most red brick walls.
The problem with this cleaning material is that workers too often use solutions stronger than the recommended 10 percent maximum to make their job easier, and often fail to apply the solution under proper conditions as will be explained below. Furthermore, workmen often use muriatic acid on some types of brick that can be damaged with this acid. For these reasons, many cleaning contractors refuse to use muriatic acid, and many architects/engineers refuse to allow muriatic acid on the job.
The relationship between architect and cleaning subcontractor is a major factor in determining whether or not muriatic acid will be permitted on certain jobs. Also, permission to use muriatic acid should be obtained from the brick manufacturer.
There are many new commercial cleaning compounds on the market today that will clean new masonry as well as muriatic acid and can be used with more safety. Many of these cleaners contain small amounts of hydrochloric acid as well as "wetting" and "buffering" agents to improve the solution's action and to minimize deterioration of mortar joints and damage to surrounding materials. Listed below are some of the recommended commercial cleaning compounds:
- Sure Klean 101, 600 and Vanatrol
- Superior 800 series
- Goldblatt Brick Bath
- Diedrich 200, 202, 202 VanaStop
Formulation of most commercial cleaners is so complicated that the users should not necessarily try to understand terminology such as wetting agents, buffering agents, oxidizing, chelating, inhibitors, etc., but should rely on chemical manufacturers' recommendations as found on containers, and on recommendations of brick manufacturers.
The following procedure is recommended for cleaning by the Bucket and Brush Method:
- Wait for mortar to harden. While industry standards generally require masonry to be 7 days old before cleaning, it is possible to start cleaning operations 24 to 36 hours after completion of masonry work, depending on the type of brick and weather (drying) conditions.
- Remove all large mortar particles with hand tools before applying water or cleaning solutions. Use wooden paddle, the rough edge of a brick, or metal scrape hoe. Chisels may be used, if necessary, to remove hardened mortar or concrete. This is a very important point in cleaning new masonry. Don't expect cleaning solutions alone to remove large particles of hardened mortar.
- Mask and otherwise protect adjacent metal, glass, wood, etc. surfaces as recommended by product manufacturers.
- Saturate the wall with clean water. The area to be cleaned must be saturated as well as all masonry areas below. Hose should be trained upon wall until brick is saturated. If wall appears to be drying on surface, reapply water until worker is ready to apply cleaning solution. Failure to completely saturate the wall is a major cause of cleaning stains. Cleaning solutions containing dissolved mortar particles can be drawn into a dry masonry wall, causing future staining. Such staining from portland cement dissolved in cleaning materials is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to remove since it is insoluble in most masonry cleaning solutions. A saturated wall will not draw particles from its surface into brick pores. Water is available, and usually free to the cleaning contractor. Use it generously!
- Use brush to apply cleaning solution to saturated wall. Start cleaning at the top of wall. Solution should be approved by architect/engineer and brick supplier. Concentration and method of application should be as recommended on container or by manufacturer. Cover small area, using long handled fiber brush. Scrub brick, not joints. Allow solution to remain on wall three to six minutes (or as recommended on label) as workmen scrape and scrub vigorously.
- Rinse thoroughly as small areas are cleaned. To avoid rapid evaporation of water on areas being cleaned, keep crew just ahead of sunshine. This permits ideal conditions for cleaning walls, and also allows walls to dry soon after being washed, permitting crews to learn if all stains are being removed before going too far ahead.
A good phrase to remember in cleaning brickwork is "procedure is more important than the product used."
If the above procedures are followed, cleaning should be relatively easy and trouble free.
(Test clean a sample area to determine effectiveness of cleaning compound and the total cleaning system and to check wall for possible damages caused by the system. Approval of owner or owner's representative should be obtained before proceeding with operation.)
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Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted to our
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