How to Brighten a Brick Exterior

Stained brick walls are unattractive.

Brick stains and collects dirt and grime because it is porous. A lovely red brick exterior wall can become a streaky, rust-colored mess over time. Painting the brick brightens up the exterior but is a time-consuming job. Sandblasting removes too much of the surface of the brick and weakens it. Before going to either extreme, try washing the brick.

Things You'll Need

• Tarps
• Broom
• Plastic
• Tape
• Hose
• Power Washer
• Brick cleaning solution
• Bucket
• Broom, long-handled

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Instructions

1. Throw tarps over any foundation landscaping. Power-washing blasts off leaves from bushes as well as grit from bricks. It splashes dirt back up on the brick surface if it hits the soil below the bushes.

2. Tape the plastic over the windows to keep any grit released from the bricks due to the power-washing from scratching the glass.

3. Fill the power washer. Test it on the driveway until you are comfortable using it. Some power washers have a container you can fill with cleaner solutions, so fill the container with the brick cleaning solution if needed. Other power washers attach directly to a hose with no containers.

4. Direct the nozzle of the power washer to the highest point on the brick exterior. Use the lowest speed that is effective. Move the nozzle from left to right as you spray down the bricks.

5. Look at the bricks. If you still see dirt and stains, fill the bucket with water, and add the brick cleaner as the package directs. Put on the rubber gloves. Dip the broom into the cleaner and scrub the bricks, starting at the top and working your way down. Pay extra attention to the stained areas.

6. Set the power washer on low and rinse off the bricks.

Tips & Warnings

• You could also use the hose on the jet stream setting to wash the bricks if you don't have access to a power washer.

• If the bricks are painted, test the power washer and cleaner in an inconspicuous corner. The paint may come off.

References

• Realty Times; Do Homeowners Really Need To Clean Brick Walls?; Andrew Kleeman; February 2001
• Masonry Work Tools: How To Clean Brick