Cleaning 100-yr old bricks

cossiem0d0

Hi,

My house was built in 1910 and probably has over 100 years of pollution on the red bricks. We are getting it re-pointed with lime next week and I'd like to also get the bricks cleaned while we're at it. The guy doing the repointing also does acid-wash cleaning, however I'm worried that the acid might damage the bricks due to their age.

I've been looking up natural alternatives and had read that washing with vinegar, followed by ammonia and water to base and rinse could work. Does anyone have any info on this or any other methods? I'm guessing it's not just the normal malt vinegar you get in the chippie?

Any suggestions would be really helpful - thanks in advance!

Cos

Prenderb

Vinegar is an acid too - so the alternative you found is just a similar way to clean them.

It's hard to say without knowing more about the bricks, the environment and how dirty they are - if your repointing contractor's used to this and has good knowledge and experience, it'll be hard to beat their recommendation.

mad m

OP, how much is it costing you to get works done. My parents have red brick front house (terraced) and house is well over 100+ years old. Just wondering the cost involved.

sky6

You could also try brick cleaner. just try it on a sample area 600 x 600 and decide It Should damage the Bricks as there kiln hardened.
It's not expensive either, so worth a shot.