The humble clay brick is still an essential part of the building trade, despite the rising popularity of other materials. Most of our houses and many commercial buildings are still brick-built, and this is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.
The reason for this is that bricks are relatively cheap, they look great, and they can largely withstand environmental conditions and constant temperature changes here in the UK. They also don't require a great deal of maintenance and will last for an average of five hundred years!
Having said this, they eventually begin to look stained and dirty, which is why specialist brick cleaning services, like Uniwash Team, are needed to keep them looking their best.
With the amount of rain we get in the UK, you might think that our brick walls would be free from dirt.
Over the years, however, these surfaces come under attack from a variety of contaminants and unsightly blemishes, such as:
All of these will ruin the look of your brickwork, but the real problem is that some will also cause damage; anything that seals the surface stops the bricks from breathing. Moisture becomes trapped inside, which is likely to freeze in winter. The water expands as it freezes, cracking the brick surface and causing pieces to break off.
After several hard winters, your walls could look in a bad state of repair, not to mention that penetrating dampness, mould, and mildew will make their way through to the interior.
Moss, lichen, and other organic matter take root in the porous surface, resulting in the same kind of damage. Climbing plants anchor themselves in the wall surface, creating holes and cracks. When this is stripped away it leaves a residue that's difficult to shift and which looks unsightly, as well as damage that may need remedial repair work.
Efflorescence probably won't harm the bricks, but those yellow, brown, or off-white stains don't look good. Some experts suggest that this washes away in the rain if left alone, but this is rarely the case, in our experience.
Sooty carbon deposits stain your walls, black, but that crusty layer is corrosive and will eat into the surface. Likewise, bird fouling is very acidic and will destroy most building materials if it's not treated promptly.
So, it's easy to see why you might need a brick cleaning company like Uniwash Team!
Although most of the brick cleaning work carried out by the Uniwash Team and other cleaning companies involves established properties, newly-erected buildings also need our specialist attention.
Builders and contractors are under pressure to complete the work within a set time, resulting in rushed or badly-finished walls with mortar smears on bricks. Unfortunately, this is also often the result of sloppy workmanship.
While some builders clean the mortar off with acid before leaving the site, it is frequently left in place, spoiling the appearance of the finished structure.
Either way, developers want their buildings to look pristine, understandably, which is why they call brick cleaning companies like Uniwash Team to do the job.
Old brickwork needs special treatment, as the bricks themselves may be vulnerable to damage and the mortar could be soft, making it very easy to dislodge.
Even so, the techniques that Uniwash Team uses are perfectly safe for the task. The DOFF steam cleaning and TORC systems (see below) are powerful but gentle, providing a perfect solution for cleaning listed buildings and heritage brickwork.
Contact Uniwash Team today to find out how we can restore your beautiful brickwork without putting it at risk and to get your free quote.
Part of our work includes identifying the bricks involved. Not everyone realises that there are several different types of brick, and some require special treatment.
Generally, clay bricks are split into three types:
Within these groups, the bricks are separated into different classes according to their strength and quality. They can also be divided into different colours and textures.
Aside from these, you get air bricks, concrete blocks, and fire bricks.
Why is it important to know all this? Our expert brick cleaners must know exactly what they are dealing with. Many facing bricks look very old but may not be. Old brickwork may be reused in new buildings, and different types of brick often appear in the same building.
Applying the wrong method could result in unwanted results, including damaged brickwork, and that's not an option for the Uniwash Team. We are dedicated to providing a professional service that you can trust, which is why we invest in our staff to ensure they are fully trained and familiar with the different types of brick.
In theory, it's reasonable to assume that most fit, able-bodied people can take a stiff brush and a bucket of soapy water and clean their own brickwork.
However, the scale of the job may be too large for some people to tackle, and certain contaminants require specialist methods and treatment. It's a fact that soap and water just won't get some of those stains off.
Also, cleaning brickwork can be tricky, particularly when dealing with old brickwork. Using the wrong method could spell disaster and cause irreparable damage!
Finally, there's the health and safety aspect to consider: you'll need to use a ladder to reach the higher areas of your walls, which is hazardous when trying to work. Also, a lot of sources recommend using brick acid (muriatic acid) which carries its own risks.
In short, while it might be possible to clean bricks yourself, it's rarely the best option, especially when Uniwash Team brick cleaning services can fulfil the task professionally and to a very high standard.
If you decide to go ahead and clean your own walls, here are a few tips to help you avoid costly or hazardous mistakes:
There are several methods that we use for cleaning bricks, depending on their age and condition.
The following list gives an idea of the brick cleaning techniques we typically use to restore brickwork.
The DOFF machine is a sophisticated piece of equipment, specifically designed for cleaning old masonry without harming the stone surface.
It is highly effective at brick cleaning, and particularly good at graffiti and paint removal. It also kills organic matter as well as the spores, meaning that no harsh chemicals are needed and new growth is less likely (or will take much longer to return).
This machine heats water to a high temperature (as much as 150º c) and sprays it through a special nozzle at low pressure. The steam dissolves the dirt, grime, organic matter, or paint residue and evaporates, leaving the surface clean and dry within a few minutes.
All in all, it's one of the most popular methods because of its versatility and effectiveness.
Similar to DOFF steam cleaning, the TORC machine was developed by the same company, Stonehealth Ltd. Instead of steam, this system creates a gentle vortex of water (and mild cleaning fluids, if necessary) and fine granulate that's great for removing paint, dirt, plant matter, stains, and all kinds of contaminants, restoring bricks to their original colour.
Both methods do a fantastic job and are eco-friendly, making them a perfect choice for brick restoration.
Pressure washing is only used when necessary, and our fully-trained technicians always adjust the equipment to a lower pressure, according to the circumstances.
When used correctly, pressure washers are a useful tool for paint removal, or for generally basting grime from heavily-soiled surfaces. The trouble is that most people assume that bricks are capable of handling a high-pressure jet of water.
Using a pressure washer recklessly can cause severe damage to a range of surfaces, so we use them with caution. For more information check out our post “Will pressure washing remove paint from brick".
In certain cases, it may be necessary to use chemicals to remove paint, stubborn stains, or a profusion of plant matter. These chemicals are specially formulated to be as powerful as possible without risking the brickwork. Our team is familiar with COSSH regulations and all staff are insured at all times while on-site, and every effort is taken to avoid contamination of the immediate area.
The solutions are sprayed or painted on and left for the active ingredients to take effect, after which they are rinsed off safely, leaving the wall looking clean and fresh.
For residential and commercial customers alike, we offer a professional brick cleaning service that restores your walls to 'like new' condition.
The process begins with an assessment of the site to ascertain the full extent of the job and the state of the surfaces in question. We will take note of any safety concerns and determine whether special equipment is required for reaching upper levels. Scaffolding or mobile working platforms are usually the best options.
Any damage will be recorded and we will advise whether remedial repairs are required before we start work.
We also decide at this stage which cleaning techniques are appropriate for getting the bricks cleaned and then we arrange a suitable time and date to start work.
On the appointed day, the Uniwash Team technicians will arrive and start preparing the site. Scaffolding is erected if required, or a mobile working platform is used.
It would be helpful if the area was cleared of obstacles to make access easier, and we request that children and pets are kept at a safe distance while we are working on residential properties. We may also require access to a power and water supply, although this isn't always necessary.
The team will begin the task of brick cleaning, using the most suitable method.
The cleaning techniques and methods we employ, alongside our high level of training, allow our technicians to complete the work with efficiency and the job will soon be completed.
Once the cleaning work is done, we inspect the site to ensure that nothing has been missed. Scaffolding is dismantled, equipment is packed away, and the team performs a final check to make sure that it is clear and safe.
The total cost will vary according to many factors, including the brick cleaning method used, the size of the job, and the condition of the brickwork. Your location also plays a part, as brick cleaning companies in London and the Southeast generally charge more for their services.
When you contact us to provide the full details, we can assess all of the information and offer you a free quote at no obligation.
We can generally finish a small house within a day, maybe even in a few hours, but it depends on several factors, size being the most obvious. Commercial buildings usually take longer (on average, about a week) because they are typically larger.
The age and condition of the bricks will have a bearing as we would need to take more care when treating an Edwardian house, for example, than one built only a couple of decades ago.
However, we fully understand that you want us out of the way as soon as possible and we aim to limit any disruption. Thankfully, many of our methods cause very little noise and mess and will clean the brickwork quickly and efficiently.
When your home or commercial property's brickwork looks dirty and needs cleaning, get in touch with Uniwash Team. Our professional brick cleaning service ensures perfect results with every project. We are an accredited safe contractor-approved company, meaning that you can book our services with confidence.
The internet is awash with advice on cleaning brickwork, but, as you can probably guess, a lot of it should be disregarded. The very best way to get your walls clean is to have it performed professionally by brick cleaning experts, like Uniwash Team.
To keep the brickwork in optimum condition, it's recommended that you have it cleaned about twice a year. In reality, few people ever do this, and we understand that it may not be high on your list of priorities. However, with Uniwash Team you get an excellent service at a reasonable price, making it more achievable.
You can, but it's more a question of whether you should. Pressure washers are useful for many cleaning projects, but can easily damage bricks if not handled correctly. Pressure washing definitely isn't the best option for old brickwork on listed buildings as it risks dislodging the crumbling mortar and breaking bricks.
Absolutely! Keeping your brick walls clean will extend their lifespan and help you to avoid the expense of repair work in the long term.
