Taking care of your brickwork

In the world of bricks there are many different types, all requiring their own different care routines. There are many reasons you might be considering how to best take care of your bricks: because of pollution, to present a clean frontage for your building, to protect the character of your building, or even to simply help you sell the property.
Bricks have always been sturdy, the literal building blocks of society, but for London it’s the red brick which has been the mainstay since the industrial revolution. At this time bricks were easier to produce and move compared with stone. The red bricks were also popular as it was hoped they would increase the visibility of structures when it was foggy out on the road.

This month we’ll take a look at the reasons having your brickwork cleaned can be beneficial, as well as how it can be done – whether you have red bricks or a different finish to your exterior.

Why clean brickwork?

As we already mentioned, there are plenty of reasons you might have already considered this, but there are also plenty of reasons regular brick cleaning can actually help you.

• Reduces the atmospheric impact on your building

The impact which the atmosphere has on your brickwork can be devastating if left unchecked over the years. From the city smog to the chemical aspect of rain, by washing down your bricks in the right way you can help protect them against their environment.

• Reduces the covering up of structural damage

If your building is damaged you will probably want to know about it as soon as possible. Left unchecked, a structural problem could worsen, costing you money and either your home or your business depending on how you use the building.

• Improves the character of your building

No one wants to see an eyesore of a building, covered in moss, soot and graffiti. Many buildings can become a blight rather than a delight without regular brickwork cleaning. You can ensure your brickwork stands the test of time, allowing the original character to shine through.

How To Clean Brickwork

Whether you have moss, ivy or general grime from pollution on your brickwork, there are some dedicated ways of tackling the process of cleaning your bricks.

The first thing to keep in mind is the composition of your bricks, if they are sand-based, you will need to avoid high-pressure or abrasive blasting unless you’re certain it won’t do any damage. Red, fired clay bricks are most common in London and tend to have a protective layer to them, but it’s important to check that they have not already been worn down past this point.

The best recommendation for cleaning brickwork is to use warm water and a safe detergent. Depending on the exact composition of the brickwork, you might also be able to use pressurised cleaning or steam cleaning, but bucket and brush cleaning can be done as a basic way of maintaining your masonry.

Professional Brickwork Cleaning

At J Radford Group we provide professional brickwork and stone cleaning, helping you to keep your building in top condition. If you’re not sure about how to clean your brickwork and would like to ensure the job is done properly, contact us today and we’ll be happy to help rejuvenate your bricks.