Cleaning bricks can mean a lot of things as there are several kinds of stains and discolorations that all require a specific cleaning method. This article will go over how to clean hydrocarbons off your brick. Please note we do not recommend cleaning your own bricks, brick cleaning should be done by trained professionals who adhere to all safety precautions.
Hydrocarbons are carbon particles commonly caused by pollutants in the air. These particles get deposited onto the brick causing a blackening colour. It can take decades for hydrocarbons to accumulate causing a significant change in the brick’s overall colour.
How are hydrocarbons removed from brick?
The short answer is acid. Acid washing is the only way to safely remove hydrocarbons from brick. Specially designed brick acids react with the hydrocarbons breaking them down in a matter of seconds.
Once your hydrocarbon-stained bricks have reacted with the brick acid, you must rinse. Rinsing is imperative as the water will help dilute the surface and remove the hydrocarbons. Rinsing the brick should be done with a low-pressure wet steam machine. Machines like the Easy Clean Therma Tech, Doff system, etc are all wet steam-generating machines chosen by brick cleaners around the world. Using low pressure must always be used when cleaning bricks in order to keep the kilned finish intact.
Things to keep in mind, DIY brick cleaning?
The use of acid is highly effective but should only be used by trained professionals. Acids can etch windows, tarnish metallic surfaces, and burn/kill plants. Implementing a strict and thorough protection strategy using tarps, tape, and masking will help prevent damage.
Using acid-based solutions can cause burns to the body, injury or even cause death. Acid-based solutions should only be handled and used by trained professionals.
Takeaways!
Brick cleaning should only be done by trained professionals. The use of steam cleaners and acids can be dangerous if not
