Cleaning efforts are often so focused on the interior of the home that the exteriors are completely forgotten. When the reality is that they need attention anyway. To know how to care for and clean the exterior terrazzo, the slate or ceramic coatings, the exposed concrete, some basic concepts must be taken into account. And that, of course, also includes the popular facing brick.
The main drawback of this material is that it accumulates dirt very easily, since it remains lodged in the recesses of its texture. And it may also be the case that certain unwanted inhabitants are found, such as moss and mold. But for all this there is a solution. However, it would be advisable to carry out periodic maintenance so that deep cleaning is easier.
The easiest way to clean an exposed brick wall outdoors is with water, for this a garden hose will be used. It is important to always start from the top down and with a side to side motion. It will also be useful to use a brush with which to remove dirt and dust from the recesses of the brick. It is recommended to protect the window frames and door edges with masking tape.
However, if the exposed brick is particularly dirty, a more powerful tool may be necessary. In this case, cleaning with pressurized water will be ideal, although care must be taken with the level of force, since it is possible that, depending on the brick, it may suffer slightly. This would be the alternative to chemical products, for example, muriatic acid, widely used to clean red bricks outdoors. It offers good results but requires special care in handling.
Sometimes, the exposed brick shows some blackened or greenish areas, this is possibly mold or moss. Something that tends to happen in areas where there is not much sun. To remove it, it is possible to resort to a mixture of chlorine bleach and water, which will be applied to the affected bricks.
Before starting the cleaning, it is advisable to equip yourself with a pair of gloves and glasses. The next thing will be to use a hard bristle brush with which it will affect the areas where the mold or moss is. Do not forget that the brush is not made of wire bristles, otherwise, traces of rust could remain on the bricks. Finally, rinse well with water.
