Stained masonry and brickwork can ruin the look of your home. Find out how to remove stains from masonry and brickwork so that your house looks its best.
First impressions count. The exterior brickwork and masonry of your house are always on the show to neighbours and passers-by and it’s the first thing to be seen by visiting friends and family.
Masonry and brickwork are often damaged or stained during building or redecoration. It’s easy for substances such as tar, paint, oil and grease to splatter your otherwise perfect masonry and brickwork and ruin the exterior look of your home.
To many people, the prospect of removing unsightly masonry and brickwork stains seems challenging. But it is relatively simple to bring your masonry and brickwork back to life by cleaning away unsightly oil and grease stains or paint spills.
How to Clean Masonry and Brickwork
One of the simplest ways to enhance the appearance of unpainted or untextured brickwork and masonry is to wash it with clean water.
Run a hose gently against the wall and then scrub the masonry and brickwork with a stiff-bristled scrubbing brush. Start at the top of the wall and work your way down. Scrub heavily stained areas with a half cup of ammonia added to a bucket of water. Rinse the area after removing the stain.
How to Remove Stains from Masonry and Brickwork
To remove oil, grease and tar stains, first soften the stains by applying a poultice made from Fuller’s Earth or sawdust soaked in a proprietary grease solvent or good, old-fashioned paraffin. Always make sure you wear protective gloves to do this and carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Dampen the stained area with solvent and then spread on a half-inch thick layer of poultice. Leave this until the poultice material dries out and completely absorbs the stain.
When dry, scrape off the poultice with a plastic or wooden spatula. Scrub the wall thoroughly with water.
How to Remove Paint Spills and Paint Stains from Masonry and Brickwork
Use a proprietary paint stripper to remove patches of spilt paint from brickwork and masonry. Again, carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use protective clothing while working with the paint stripper. In many cases, you will need rubber gloves and a face mask to ensure your safety as you apply the paint stripper.
On rough brickwork and masonry surfaces, stipple the paint stripper onto the textured surface. Leave for around 10 minutes and then remove the softened paint with a scraper. Scrub off the residue, and any paint traces left in deeper cracks, with a stiff scrubbing brush and clean water. Finally, rinse the wall with clean water.
