Posted by Robert Yarborough in San Antonio, Home Maintenance

If you’re the owner of a brick exterior home, you may be wondering how to keep it looking its best. Brick is a durable and low-maintenance building material, but it requires some occasional cleaning to remove dirt and grime that can accumulate over time.

Find out how to clean the brick exterior of your home with these tips!

Brick Exterior of a Home

Protect Your Landscaping

Before getting started, protect any nearby plants or landscaping. Cover them with a tarp or plastic sheeting to prevent the cleaner from getting on them.

Once your plants have been protected, start cleaning by using a broom and sweeping the bricks to remove any loose dirt or debris before you start washing with any cleaning products.

Use a Mix of Solution and Water

Next, mix a solution with water in a bucket. Aaron Green, Owner at Essential Home & Garden says, “There are a few different cleaners you can use: for basic cleaning, a mixture of dish soap and water will do the job well. An alternative to dish soap is a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle.”

Green continues, “For removing mold or mildew, a mixture of bleach and warm water is best. Add 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of warm water and scrub. Remember to keep the bricks wet until you rinse off the bleach mixture.”

For heavy cleaning, “use a muriatic acid mixture. This is an industrial cleaner, so it’s important to wear rubber gloves, safety glasses, and a respirator when using it. First, fill a gallon bucket with warm water, and then pour 1.5 cups of the acid inside (never pour water into acid). Using a brush, dip it in the mixture, and scrub the bricks. Leave it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing it with warm water,” Green recommends.

Work from the top down and be sure to pay extra attention to any stubborn stains or marks. Use extra caution If you are using a ladder to reach high spots.

Brick Exterior Patio of a Home

Rinse Thoroughly and Air Dry

Rinse the bricks thoroughly with a hose or a bucket of clean water to remove all traces of your solution.

Bret Jackson, Professional Cleaner at Letti & Co also recommends using a pressure washer if available. “Use a pressure washer on a low setting and rinse the brick with clean water. Be sure to take extra care when using a pressure washer to avoid damaging the brick,” Jackson explains.

Now, let the brick air dry. Your brick exterior should be left looking clean and brand new!

According to Doug Greene, Owner at Signature Properties “Regular maintenance is key to keeping your brick exterior looking its best. This way you don't have to clean and use chemicals when it gets overwhelmingly dirty. So be sure to sweep the bricks regularly to remove any dirt or debris, and spot-clean any stains as soon as they occur.”

With the right supplies and some elbow grease, you’ll keep the brick exterior of your home looking new while boosting your curb appeal for years to come.



Author

Robert Yarborough
Robert Yarborough

Author

Robert is a native of South Florida and a proud combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He served in both Afghanistan and Iraq during his time in the Corps. After retiring from the military, he made his way to Texas, which he now calls home. As internet Sales Manager in San Antonio, Robert is passionate about helping every family into their new home and goes the extra mile to deliver exceptional customer service. He can help with anything from financing, to information about locations and things to do in the surrounding area, to all things home. In his free time, Robert enjoys spending time with his wife and family, golfing, and fishing on the Texas Gulf coast!

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