Cleaning method for brickwork

Bricklaying should always be done as cleanly as possible. Some of today’s more popular bricks will only tolerate a little acid, if any at all and advice should be obtained from the manufacturer before using acid to clean the surface of the bricks.

New cleaning method 
   – beneficial for brickwork and the environment

Immediate after building, brush off the remainder of the mortar residue with a scrubbing brush. This will remove any of the left over mortar on the bricks before it has time to harden.
Alternatively a sponge can be used as it does not get into the joint the same way as the brush does, reducing the likelihood of dragging out the mortar from the joint out onto the face of the bricks.
Some brickwork can appear relatively clean after laying but this will depend on the type of brick, mortar and skill of the bricklayer.

But if the brickwork requires cleaning down and most will, then immediately after building and when the mortar is ”touch” dry,brush or sponging can commence.

If the mortar is not “touch” dry on the surface, you will need to be careful not to drag mortar out of the joint back onto the face of the bricks as you clean down.

For cleaning, use a bucket with roller and a board with foam rubber sponge. Press the sponge across the roller, this way the sponge is only moist, not over wetting the brickwork or mortar.

The need for acid is estimated in every single case depending on the actual soil of the brickwork.
The use of acid is always kept to a minimum.

Read more about brickwork acid-wash here