Cleaning INTERIOR Brick

brian72

Hello everyone,

I am a paint contractor and new to this forum. I need some advice on cleaning brick. I am doing a job inside a building that has older brick walls. I need to clean them up somehow and am not sure how to go about this. Some guys have told me they have seen others powerwash and use a shopvac, but I just hate to do that inside, on the 2nd floor. What would be the best way to approach this, starting with the easiest method. I don't want to get into using acids since that is something I don't have any experience with. What cleaners and method of applying should I start with, and should I powerwash inside? If so, what steps should I take to make sure water doesn't get all over the floor , etc. I would appreciate any help soon since I am starting this job this week. Thanks, Brian

ProWallGuy

You could try this: tape some thick mil plastic on the floor for protection, and use a TSP or Dirtex type cleanser and scrub it by hand. Rinse off with clean water out a garden type pump sprayer. I have no clue if it will work, as I have never done anything like this before.
I'm very curious though as to how you bid this job if you have no idea how to go about doing it. T&M perhaps? Just wondering.

BTW, welcome to the forums.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

6stringmason

I've always thrown plastic down. Used a garden hose with a fine mist setting nozzle and scrub it with dairy brushes. We also used a shop vac to keep as much off the floor as possible. A good shop vac as you know pics up ALOT of water and will keep it dry.

__________________
Kamps Masonry & Concrete Countertop Design Green Bay, WI
920-680-3195
Visit our website @
http://www.concretecountertopsdesign.com/

ProWallGuy

6string, what is a 'dairy' brush?

__________________
Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

6stringmason

Its basically just a typical hard bristled brush with about an 18" plastic handle. They come in a variety of bristle coarseness. Its just what they called em when I started tending, so I keep callin em that lol. They work good for softer brick or cultured stone since the bristles wont discolor the stone or brick. Yet they are usually course enough that with a little elbow grease you can get the mortar stains off.

BTW.. I just noticed that quote you have sigged. Thats awesome!

__________________
Kamps Masonry & Concrete Countertop Design Green Bay, WI
920-680-3195
Visit our website @
http://www.concretecountertopsdesign.com/

ProWallGuy

Thanks for the info.

Classic, eh?

__________________
Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

Tscarborough

It depends upon what you are cleaning off, mainly. For fresh mortar, 6string's method is good, but if it is soot and grime, you will have to use some TSP or Jomax along with the hose.