How to Clean Brick Without Damaging It

Start gentle

Use water, a soft natural-bristle brush, and a pH-neutral cleaner. Test in a hidden area.

Biological growth responds to biocide cleaners; paint stripping requires poultice strippers designed for masonry.

Can I pressure wash my brick house?

Low pressure with a wide fan tip is OK on sound modern brick; avoid it on historic brick.

How do I clean soot off a fireplace?

Use a dry sponge first, then a masonry soot cleaner.

Can painted brick be restored?

Often, with specialized strippers, though some brick faces are damaged underneath.

7 min read

Plain-English explanation of repointing, tuckpointing, and pointing for brick homes in Boston, with when each is used and what each costs.

7 min read

How many years a repointing job lasts in Boston's climate, what shortens it, and how to make joints last 50 years.

7 min read

Guide to ASTM C270 mortar types M, S, N, O and K, lime mortar, and which is right for pre-1930 Boston-area brick.

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