There are many reasons why you might want your exterior brickwork cleaned. You may have recently bought a property that has blackened and stained bricks. You could be selling your home and want to maximise your chances of getting a good price.
Maybe you're a landlord or owner of a holiday home and want to ensure that the property's brickwork looks its best. Or, you might just be someone who takes pride in their home and you want the brickwork to look fresh and clean, free from dirt and nasty surface coatings of all kinds.
But getting those bricks spotlessly clean is a difficult, thankless task. That's why people trust the experienced professionals at RenWash to do the job for them, as we have the knowledge, expertise and equipment to remove stains effectively and efficiently.
Bricks are a versatile and durable building material, but their porous surface makes them vulnerable to various contaminants:
Airborne pollution causes black staining on brickwork, as the particulates accumulate on the walls over the years. This is a problem everywhere, although urban areas are much more at risk.
Pollution from traffic fumes has eased in the last couple of decades due to legislation to tackle the issue, but it has by no means been eradicated.
Older properties, such as Victorian terraced houses, seem to suffer worse than most others, with years of sooty grime from coal smoke and industrial chimneys caked on the exterior walls.
Moss, lichen, algae, mould and fungi love the porous surface of bricks and will anchor themselves to form colonies that spread rapidly across the wall.
This not only looks unsightly, but it can also damage the top layer of the brick. Cracks may appear, or pieces may flake off (known as spalling). This allows moisture deeper into the brick, and when this freezes in winter it can cause severe cracking. Before you know it, the interior of the building is at risk of penetrating damp, higher energy bills, and black mould.
Ivy, wisteria and clematis might look appealing across the front of your home, but they can cause significant damage to the brick and masonry. And when they die or are cut back, they leave stains and plant matter attached to the wall which looks awful and can be a real pain to remove.
Few people are overjoyed by the sight of graffiti on their property's brickwork. Thankfully, we have the know-how and the right equipment to remove it, leaving no trace of the offending paint or ink.
No matter how big or small the problem is, it's best to take action straight away, as graffiti always attracts further anti-social behaviour. The RenWash team are experts at graffiti removal and will restore your walls in no time at all.
White stains sometimes appear on brick walls (brown, yellow and green can also appear), and this is due to soluble salts within the brick matrix. When the bricks become wet, the salts are dissolved and become mixed with the water.
As the water evaporates, a layer of salt is deposited on the outer surface. While it's not a difficult job to clean it off, it can be a sign of a potential damp problem within the building, so it's best to get this checked out.
Painting clay bricks is never a good idea unless you use the correct type of paint and maintain it properly throughout its life. This fact hasn't stopped millions of people from painting their outside walls over the last century or so, often with unsuitable or inferior paint, and this has led to major problems with crumbling bricks and penetrating damp inside the building.
Bricks need to breathe, allowing moisture to evaporate from the porous surface. Old, flaky and cracked paint looks unappealing, but it may also be damaging your home. This will eventually result in the need for costly repairs to your brick wall and, potentially, treatment for mould and damp within your house. We highly recommend that you remove paint from your exterior walls in order to protect them.
Old brick paint removal is just one of the options available in the RenWash brick cleaning service, and we will restore your walls to their beautiful original colour within a short time.
Yes, even new builds can look messy! Contractors may be skilled at their jobs, but tight schedules and hurried timetables mean that mistakes are made. Mortar, paint and other building materials are frequently spilt on new brickwork, and the contractors often simply don't have the time or opportunity to deal with the issue there and then.
The usual remedy is to splash brick acid (see below) on the wall surface, but this is rarely a good thing.
Countless house-building companies in the UK use professional brickwork cleaning services to make their new houses look perfect.
The RenWash specialist brick cleaning experts use a variety of methods to remove layers of grime, moss and algae from bricks of all types, including the following techniques:
The humble pressure washer is often seen as the layman's go-to tool for cleaning anything, including patios, cars, brick walls, driveways, roofs and windows!
However, most people discover that this equipment is not as easy to handle as it may seem. Yes, it can be an effective method, but in the wrong hands, these machines can cause a lot of damage and can put you at risk of injury.
Also, the results are rarely quite as good as you might expect. That's partly because pressure washers aren't used correctly most of the time: first-time users often stick the machine on the highest setting and blast away hoping for the best. A high-pressure jet of water is likely to damage or dislodge the mortar and could break pieces off the brickwork, particularly if they are old bricks.
Another problem is that the machines available to the public aren't as sophisticated as those used by professional brick-cleaning companies.
At RenWash, we use high-quality machines and our staff are trained to use these competently and effectively.
The DOFF system was invented specifically for treating stonework on heritage and listed buildings without damaging the surface, making it ideal for brick cleaning.
The specially designed machine heats up water to 150ºc and sprays it at low pressure onto the wall, where it penetrates the porous surface, dislodging dirt and breaking down moss, algae and lichen.
Old paint doesn't stand a chance against this amazing brick cleaning method, and black stains from airborne pollution or mould are no problem at all.
The main attraction of DOFF steam cleaning is that the superheated water is enough - there's no need for harsh chemicals or scrubbing surfaces clean. It's environmentally friendly, safe, fast and very effective! Also, as there's no saturation involved, the surface is dry within minutes so you can see the beautiful clean bricks immediately.
Few people (if any) outside of the cleaning industry own a DOFF machine, and it's unlikely that you'll be able to hire one. If you do find a company that has one for hire, we strongly recommend that you avoid doing so: these are highly complex machines that require hours of specialist training to use effectively, correctly and safely.
This method is favoured by most brick cleaning companies and is used extensively on heritage or listed buildings, including those curated by the National Trust and English Heritage.
There are many types of specially formulated chemicals used in brick cleaning, and some can be extremely harmful to the environment if not used with care. One, in particular, is known in the trade as brick acid and is made from hydrochloric acid, or muriatic acid.
This acid is often used by builders and bricklayers to clean up limescale and spills on the brickwork during the building process, but it must be used wisely and sparingly as it can cause irreparable damage to the brick surface. And whatever else you've been advised, it must never be used for stone cleaning.
The RenWash team is fully aware of the COSHH regulations and complies with these at all times.
However, eco-friendly brick cleaning chemicals are available, and RenWash prefers to use these wherever possible.
These chemicals are usually applied in cases of heavy carbon soiling on older brickwork, where a build-up of soot and pollution has accumulated over many decades.
Whichever solution is used, the RenWash team knows how to apply them correctly and safely. It is never a good idea for anyone to use brick acid or even eco-friendly alternatives themselves - this job should always be left to professional brick cleaning experts!
Also known as sand-blasting, this is a fairly aggressive process that requires an expert hand. The use of actual sand is banned in the UK due to concerns about silicosis. Instead, various materials are used, like crushed glass, ceramic grit or tiny metal particles.
This method is more frequently used for paint removal and the 'sand' is generally fired at low pressure to avoid stripping away the outer layer of the brick.
RenWash brick cleaning specialists possess the skill to use this method effectively, removing surface coatings without causing damage to the bricks beneath. Even so, it is used infrequently as other methods (such as DOFF steam cleaning) are far more effective, gentle and safe.
Further to this, we have the TORC cleaning system that works on a similar basis but uses a vortex spray that mixes water with fine particulates. This is projected at low pressure onto the surface to remove paint, dirt and other contaminants, and is a much less aggressive action.
The process begins when you contact us to discuss your requirements. We can offer a free quotation at no obligation, and we are happy to demonstrate how effective our methods are.
An initial inspection will be made to determine the state of your walls and to decide which is the best method to use. At this stage, we will also be able to assess what kind of equipment is required to access the upper levels.
We will also check for any damage, as remedial repairs will need to be undertaken prior to the brick cleaning process and allowed to dry fully. We can handle minor repair work (contact us for more details on this), but major work may have to be passed onto a specialist brickwork restoration company.
When the team arrives on-site at the appointed time, they will begin by ensuring that the area is safe and as free from hazards as possible. Protective sheets will be laid over any items that may be affected by the operation, and anything portable will be removed to a safe distance.
Scaffolding will be erected if necessary, taking care to avoid damaging the walls. If this is not practical or necessary, the team will use another method to reach the upper areas.
Any equipment will be set up in readiness for the work to begin.
The wall will usually be brushed or scraped down to remove any loose debris. After this, the appropriate method will be used to clean the brickwork thoroughly.
The team will always ensure that every inch of the wall is spotless, and stubborn areas will be given extra attention.
Once the process is complete, the RenWash team will check to make sure that the work meets our usual high standards.
All equipment, tools, protective sheets and debris from the process are cleared away, leaving the site in a clean and tidy state.
RenWash brick cleaning services also extend to commercial premises as well as residential properties.
A grime-covered building can be off-putting for potential clients, customers or investors, so it's in your best interests to invest in brick restoration.
Fortunately, the RenWash team is equipped to handle large-scale projects just as efficiently and competently as they would a normal-sized brick house.
Within a couple of days, your property's brickwork will be spotless once again, creating a more positive image for your business.
It's only natural to want to save money by tackling the job yourself, and in some cases, this is a sensible option.
However, it's not a simple matter of scrubbing your walls with soap and water! You need to consider which is the correct method for your type of brick, as well as the mortar in between, and you may need specialist brick cleaning equipment.
Most people don't realise the damage that can be done by putting soap onto dry bricks. If the wall isn't wet enough, the soap is absorbed directly into the pores, where it will eventually cause them to crumble or become discoloured. And while a wire brush might seem like a good idea, this is likely to damage the outer layer of the brick surface.
Also, you'll need to climb a ladder to reach the upper levels at some point during the cleaning process, which involves significant risk. If you're not careful, you could end up damaging your brickwork or injuring yourself. Working while up a ladder is inherently dangerous - almost one-third of all injuries in the UK each year are caused by falls from ladders!
On the whole, it is safer and wiser to engage a professional brick cleaning company to do the job. At RenWash, our team is fully insured, highly skilled and extremely efficient. We take health and safety very seriously, which is why we invest in training for all staff, as well as ensuring that anyone who uses specialist equipment holds the relevant licence or certification.
The average brick cleaning cost is somewhere around £30 per square metre, but, as always, the cost will vary based on many factors, including the state of the brickwork, the scale of the job, and the brick cleaning method used.
As with most other services, including brick cleaning, London and the South East rates will be generally higher.
However, the brick cleaning cost should be considered an investment; regular brick cleaning will help you save money on costly repair work further down the line.
To get an accurate figure, call us today to provide the full details of your brick cleaning project and we'll offer a free quotation. We can also arrange for a demonstration to show you the end result. We guarantee that you'll be amazed at how clean your bricks look!
If you're still undecided as to whether to have brick cleaning performed professionally, here's a rundown of the positive points:
All of these are important factors when considering whether to engage a brick cleaning service and, as you can see, it makes good sense to go ahead!
Customer satisfaction lies at the heart of all we do at RenWash, which is why we ensure that our staff are trained in all kinds of brick cleaning methods.
In fact, brick cleaning is just one of the services that we provide. Our comprehensive cleaning services include the following:
And much more!
We are happy to work together with private homeowners, landlords, businesses, local authorities, schools, colleges - essentially, anyone who has a brick building that's in need of cleaning.
Contact us today to start the process of transforming your brickwork with RenWash
The original colour of bricks can be restored after cleaning, but this depends on the condition of the bricks and the cleaning methods used.
All of our professional cleaning services use cleaning products that are safe for the environment and people. We do have a few that use added chemicals but those are for select applications and only when no other option is available.
To ensure the safety of the building and surrounding area during cleaning, safety measures such as covering floors and furniture and using appropriate personal protective equipment are used.
Yes, brick cleaning services can clean both the interior and exterior of a building's bricks.
