Providing the type of pressure cleaning services we’d love to experience ourselves – Remarkable and Impeccable!
Providing the type of pressure cleaning services we’d love to experience ourselves – Remarkable and Impeccable!
Brick cleaning is a highly specialised service that should only ever be performed by an experienced, licensed accredited, and insured professional. Cleanpass Services employs sophisticated brick cleaning solutions and we use state-of-the-art pressure washing equipment, applicators, and eco-friendly organic base chemicals to replace more commonly used dangerous acids. Â Â
The brick cleaning services we provide are suitable for any type of brick whether common clay bricks, face bricks, double course bricks, sand lime bricks, glazed bricks, brick veneer, reclaimed, historical or antique bricks, cement bricks or sandstone.
Brick cleaning is ideal for removing cement grout haze and excess mortar, and is perfect for graffiti removal, as well as rejuvenating old weathered brickwork.
Brick cleaning is a painstaking difficult task that should only ever be performed by experienced professionals. Expertly cleaned brickwork can completely transform the look and feel of your home or business. The removal of excess grout and cement haze in construction is very important in terms of preventing limescale from forming on the brick face. It’s also extremely important in ensuring the longevity and beauty of your brick face which diminishes over the years.
Brick cleaning is not only used post-construction. It’s also the ideal means when used to restore your brickwork to its pristine condition after many years, even decades of exposure to the harsh elements and is perfect for heritage brick restoration also.
Brick, with its timeless charm and durability has been a popular choice in construction for centuries. Bricks are an enduring symbol of strength and longevity. Whether you’re renovating an old structure or building a new one, brickwork plays a vital role in the aesthetic appeal and more importantly, the structural integrity of buildings.
During the construction or renovation process unsightly remnants of excess mortar and cement haze after left behind on the face of the bricks which needs to be removed. If left unchecked for long periods of time excess mortar and cement haze can permanently stain the face of bricks. That’s where expert brick cleaning comes into play offering a solution that combines specialist pressure cleaning techniques and engineered chemicals to ensure your brickwork is pristine for decades.
Brick cleaning is one of the final jobs to be carried out on a post-construction or post-renovation before the practical handover is completed. Brick cleaning is also used in the removal of contaminants like mould, algae, moss, efflorescence, lichen, and mortar bees all of which can adversely and permanently affect the beauty and integrity of brickwork.
Brick cleaning is also used for graffiti removal and is considered a highly effective tool used to combat the menace of graffiti vandalism. Treatment and removal of graffiti should be applied as soon as possible in order to maximise the effectiveness of the treatment. The longer it remains on the surface of your brick the more difficult to remove. Another very important reason for removing it as soon as possible is to deny the graffiti offenders the recognition they seek.
The process of brick cleaning involves a combination of skilled assessment, experience and technique. Specialist pressure cleaning equipment, applicators, and engineered chemicals to achieve the best possible outcome.
The first step in any brick cleaning project is to assess the condition of the brickwork and identify its type. This assessment helps determine the appropriate cleaning method to be used, any precautions needed, and any other specific challenges that may be encountered during the cleaning process.
To prepare the surface, loose debris, cement or mortar dags (raised clumps), dirt, or organic growth, if any, are removed using a combination of scrapers and brushes and rinsing with water. This step ensures that the cleaning process can be as effective as possible. Before ensuring the surrounding surfaces are protected, and any loose debris or dirt is removed.
Engineered brick cleaning chemicals are applied to the affected areas. Noting the correct choice of chemicals is critical in this stage. Using the wrong type of chemical can adversely and permanently damage the brick face. Acid-based or alkaline-based solutions are often used and depends on the brick type as to which is best.
In some instances, not all, scrubbers or brushes may be used to agitate the chemical and assist in complete saturation of the chemical into the surface as well as break down stubborn stains, grout and cement haze, or graffiti whatever the case may be. Chemicals are allowed to dwell for a short period of time.
A pressure cleaner is then used to pressure clean the chemicals and contaminants from the bricks. The pressure output (PSI) is set to suit the type of brick so as to ensure the effective removal of residues and contamination without damaging the bricks.
After pressure cleaning, the bricks are thoroughly rinsed using a soft wash technique to remove any remaining residue, chemicals and loosened debris. In cases where hydrochloric acids are used, it is important neutralising agents are used to ensure that any acidic residues are neutralised to prevent unintended damage to the brick face and surrounding areas.
The cleaned bricks are left to dry naturally. Once dry, a final inspection is carried out to ensure that all excess mortar and cement haze has been completely removed.
Depending on the type of bricks, professionals may recommend applying a sealant to protect the surface and maintain its cleanliness.
As bricklayers build the brick walls, they’re constantly scraping and sponging the excess grout across the face of the brick. Grout and cement haze left on the surface of the brickwork is unsightly and has the potential to permanently alter the finished look of your building.
Untreated for extended periods of time the gout or cement haze will result in limescale forming on the brick face. When this limescale is exposed to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere it’s transformed into insoluble calcium carbonate which is very difficult to remove in its entirety.
Professional brick cleaning minimises this exposure and should be performed within 7-14 days after construction. Professional brick cleaning is a key contributor to maintaining the beauty of your brickwork.
No, it won’t. We carefully examine your brickwork, and prepare the surface before commencing the clean. A lot of thought is given at this stage when formulating the best, most effective approach.
Preparation is so importance in terms of ensuring the best possible outcome and preparation is key. Preparation may include removing any large clumps or chunks (dags) with a hand tool such as a scraper or chisel for new builds and/or renovations.
It may include chemically treating mould, mildew, algae, lichen, moss or carbon pollutants for brick restoration.
It may also include chemical application for graffiti removal. Regardless, preparation is key! Â Â Â
Post preparation, an organic acid solution is applied to restore the brick face before being neutralised and washed away under pressure.
Our approach to brick cleaning is intended to be as gentle as possible. The brick cleaning process itself won’t cause damage to your mortar. That said, any mortar that is already fragmented or loose before cleaning will more than like mean it will be dislodged during the cleaning procedure.
As a rule of thumb, if you’re able to pick pieces of the mortar from between bricks, it will more than likely be dislodged during the cleaning.
Payment may be made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), via Credit Card through our mobile EFTPOS Terminal (SQUARE +1.3%), or in cash.
For general brick cleaning where paint is not being removed from your brick work your painted windowsills, window frames and door frames will not be affected.
If we’re stripping paint from your brickwork there is a likelihood painted windowsill, window frames and door frames it is likely these painted surfaces will be affected.
Removing paint from brick surfaces will require we work right up to the painted frames. That said, any damage caused to your painted window frames will be superficial, and can easily be touched up.
Cleanpass Services offers brick and stone cleaning, graffiti removal, and brick restoration services as well as many other pressure cleaning services to a wide variety of clients.
Real Estate Agents and homeowners love our brick cleaning services, especially those looking to restore a property’s curb appeal before putting it up for sale.
Builders and Developers depend on on us to help maximise the return on investment, strata and commercial property owners and managers use our services to maintain a pristine, and professional image.
Professional renovators specialising in heritage restoration know that Cleanpass Services offer the most reliable, and comprehensive brick restoration services available.
Last but certainly not least, local authorities and community businesses find we’re a reliable and cost effective option for maintenance and anti-vandal graffiti removal.
No, but pressure cleaning is the most widely used and considered the standard. There are other methods we employ which most others brick cleaners do not have the capacity, or equipment to match.
However, each project is different and what may be perfectly suitable for one brick clean may not be suitable for another.
Great question!
It’s recommended brick surfaces be cleaned every 12-18 months. This prevents the build-up of pollutants, organic growth such as mould, mildew, algae and moss from accumulating on the face of the brickwork.
Importantly, it significantly reduces the risk of limescale and buildup of calcium carbonate.
If bricks are used for paving, particularly in high traffic areas and around pools these paved surfaces may require more frequent cleaning than bricks used for an exterior wall. Harsh weather conditions, such as wind or rain, more frequent cleaning may be necessary.
Another factor that will determine the appropriate cleaning intervals is the type of brick surface or brick finish. Environmental factors and proximity to areas exposed to man-made pollutants. For instance, a building in the CBD is exposed to man-made pollutants much more than a building in a country town or on the outskirts of a city or major town.
Bricks that are more porous will usually require more frequent cleaning than for example, glazed bricks.
Yes, no doubt whatsoever!
The obvious and immediate, or short-term benefit of brick cleaning is that it restores the appearance of your brickwork.
The long-term benefits are many and varied. Regular brick cleaning is the most effective way to preserve the integrity of your brickwork. This is achieved by the removal of harmful mould, mildew, various other decaying organics, and carbon deposits cause by pollution which helps retain the integrity of the brickwork and mortar. Â
All brick structures require regular maintenance and upkeep to ensure their beauty, structural integrity, and longevity. Brick buildings will form cracks and crevices over time allowing excess moisture to penetrate beyond the surface. This unwanted moisture ingress breaks down the mortar and the steel reinforcement within the brickwork causing them to rust from this inside out. Professional brick cleaning services can quickly and easily identify any existing structural damage caused by excess moisture ingress, and recommend repairs.
Anyone selling the home or business is likely to gain a noticeable increase in value. Studies have shown a home with cleaned brickwork over a home with noticeably contaminated brickwork can fetch up to 7% more value.
An experience local professional brick cleaner should have the knowledge to estimate the required frequency of brick cleaning for your property. Â
A brick clean will usually last between 1-2 years.
However, this can vary depending on a number of influences. Some of these include, quality of waterproofing, exposure or lack of exposure to natural sunlight, surrounding treescape, annual rainfall, condition of mortar or pointing, moisture retention in the ground and foundation around the building, and exposure to wind and saline salts.
If you’re a property owner or manager it’s a good question to ask because it allows you the opportunity to budget for either annual or biannual cleaning service.Â
Aside from post-construction brick cleaning for a builder there is no-good-reason for any brick cleaner to have to employ any acids or harsh chemicals for brick cleaning.
Regular brick cleaning on existing homes or business requiring the removal of mould, mildew, algae, moss, lichen and pollutant cleaning does not require the use of chemically engineered acids or harsh chemicals.
Cleaning can easily and affectively be completed using either a much safer organic acid and/or environmentally biodegradable detergents.
Always check with your brick cleaner, ask them what will they be using in terms of acids and chemicals.
IMPORTANT: Do not allow any brick cleaner to use Hydrochloric Acid, it’s dangerous and can inadvertently cause damage to your brickwork. It can also very easily adversely affect your gardens and lawns, metal structures and metal reinforcements within the brickwork, it’s highly toxic to the environment, pets and humans.
Yes and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
For home and business owners who require brick ‘rejuvenation’ cleaning this could and should be performed without the use of acid.
In the construction industry, acids are typically required at the completion stage of masonry works to remove large amounts of cement deposits on the surface of the brickwork.
This is a very important question to ask. Any brick cleaner worth his salt would have this covered well before commencing work.
If acids (particularly hydrochloric acid), are being used for brick cleaning it’s crucial the run off is neutralized. This is done using a free-flowing acid neutralizer power with a pH of 10.7 (1% solution). Bunding should also be used to contain the runoff and stop if from spilling onto lawns, into gardens and stormwater.
Any detergents being used should be environmentally safe and biodegradable.Â
This is such an important question to ask and the reality is, it’s not a question ever asked.
The risk potential damage is high, as is the consequential cost of repair.
There’s lots homeowners and property owners and managers can do to help maintain brickwork and masonry.
Take a moment to inspect your brickwork throughout the year whether it’s when you’re entering and leave. While you’re working in the garden and around your home or property just pause to take a moment to look at the condition of the brickwork.
When you’re looking at your brickwork, look for signs of crumbling mortar, as well as cracks and holes in your mortar. Damage to mortar could result in water ingress potentially leading to more significant structural damage.
Look for white or yellow coloured crystal-like powder known as efflorescence, rust stains, and bulges. If you happen to find anything that raises any concern it’s crucial remedial works are carried out as soon as possible to ensure the integrity of your brickwork.
Remove and plants or ferns growing from your brickwork. Keep your weep holes clear of plants and burrowing insects. Treat any mould, algae or mildew on the surface of your bricks as soon as it’s identified.
Look for water damaged caused by excess moisture at the base of your walls, this could mean you have sprinkle back or rising sodden (rising damp). Â
Talk to your brick cleaner about the sort of things you need to keep an eye out for.
Professional brick cleaning is not limited to new construction and renovations.
It also serves as a valuable service for rejuvenating old and historic structures that have accumulated dirt, mould, algae, moss, efflorescence, lichen, and other pollutants over the years.
Here we’ve listed some of the uses for brick cleaning and how this service can breathe new life into aging brickwork.
Traditionally, hydrochloric acid has been the go-to solution for brick cleaning, particularly when tackling grout and cement haze. Most brick cleaning companies will still only use hydrochloric acid in brick cleaning as it’s much cheaper to buy, and highly effective due to its highly corrosive nature.
However, the highly corrosive nature of hydrochloric acid and its potential harm to the environment and human health has prompted Cleanpass Services to move towards the use of natural organic acids.
Organic acids are an eco-friendly alternative, they are safer to use, council regulation complaint, and are specifically engineered for a purpose targeting cement and grout haze. These organic acids offer numerous advantages in professional brick cleaning over toxic hydrochloric acid.
Bricks come in a variety of compositions, colours, densities, porosity and surface textures and each has its own unique characteristics. These characteristics influence the cleaning process in order to ensure its integrity is preserved.
We understand the nuances of different brick types and have the expertise to deliver exceptional results.
Brick Types Include:
Clay bricks are known for their porosity, and the mortar can easily penetrate their surface. Therefore, a gentler cleaning approach is required to avoid damaging the bricks. Alkaline-based chemicals are typically used along with low pressure cleaning methods such as soft washing to avoid damaging the face of the brick. The use of high pressure cleaning is not recommended as it’s far too aggressive and likely damage the brick face.
Concrete bricks are denser and more resilient. They can withstand a higher level of pressure during cleaning. Acid-based solutions are often used for concrete bricks to effectively dissolve the mortar and cement haze.
Sandstone bricks are soft and porous. They require careful handling to avoid erosion. Alkaline-based cleaners with low pressure washing are used to preserve the integrity of their fragile surfaces.
Specialty bricks, such as reclaimed or antique bricks, may require even more specialised cleaning methods to prevent damage and preserve their unique characteristics.
These bricks require the utmost care, as they are often irreplaceable. Specialised cleaning methods are employed to retain their character when removing excess grout and cement haze.
Brick veneer, often used in modern construction, has a thin layer of brick over another material. Care must be taken not to damage the veneer while removing excess mortar or cement haze.
Glazed bricks should never be cleaned with any type of acid solution. Glazed brick should only ever be cleaned using neutral detergent, manual brushing and soft washing without the use of chemicals.
Brick cleaning performed well will removal of harmful bacteria and pathogens. Brickwork is a preferred breeding ground for harmful bacteria and various other organic pathogens, particularly if the brickwork is prone to retaining moisture to long periods of time. These pathogens cause harm if they come into contact with people and pets. Brick cleaning services to be able to eradicate the bacteria and is able to eliminate the dangers associated with transfer to skin and eyes, or ingestion and inhalation.
Bricks retain and accumulated moisture and organic contaminants quicker than other materials because of their porous surface.
Mould, mildew and algae consequently develop on their surface and the roots and hyphae are usually deeply embedded into the brick face. If not treated and cleaned, diminished structural integrity is accelerated greatly.
A minor maintenance upgrade such as regular brick cleaning is far more cost-effective than repairing damaged walls. Regularly maintenance of brickwork significantly reduces the overall expenditure associated with major repairs.
In terms of your return on investment goes the benefits outweigh and cost of maintenance enormously.
Brick cleaning is a restorative process that provides property owners an immediate, and very cost-effective makeover. Contaminated brickwork is unwelcoming and undoubtedly unattractive which has lasting impact on first impressions.
When a potential buyer arrives at your property for an inspection, and the exterior brickwork is covered with mould, mildew, algae and grime, they have a negative first impression.
It takes a lot to dismiss the initial impression of an dreadful exterior, even if the property has a wonderful interior.
Professional brick cleaning is the most cost-effect and time-efficient way of removing unsightly limescale, efflorescence and stains.Â
The purchase of a home or business will typically the largest financial and emotional investment anyone can make in a lifetime.
That said, the cost of regular maintenance is inconsequential in terms of cost in comparison, yet so crucial in terms of maintaining its original external beauty and its structural integrity.
Professional brick cleaning isn’t only about preserving and restoring the beauty of bricks but it’s also used to tackle unsightly graffiti vandalism.
Graffiti removal is a challenging and sometimes gruelling task without the correct equipment, purposely engineered chemicals, skill and expert knowledge.
The process:
Understanding the type of paint or ink used in the graffiti helps in selecting the appropriate removal method.
We apply graffiti-specific chemicals that break down the paint or ink without harming the underlying brick. After applying these chemicals and allowing them to dwell, often the surface will be either manually or mechanically agitated using medium / stiff bristle brushes depending on the type of brick, the type of graffiti as well as the length of time the graffiti has been on the surface.
Usually, high pressure cleaning is then performed and is used to remove the graffiti, effectively restoring the original brick appearance. Depending on the type, and fragility of the brick, low pressure may be used and the chemical application and agitation process may need to be repeated.
Dustless micro-abrasion using compressed air, water and media. This method is highly effective and eliminates the need for the use of any chemicals whatsoever. Micro-abrasion graffiti removal can be performed using a captive head attachment which vacuum recovers the media, paint particles and runoff.
After graffiti removal, the brick surface is inspected to ensure that no damage has occurred, and necessary preservation steps are taken to minimise the effects of graffiti vandalism in the future. This includes the application of sealing barriers or anti-graffiti protective coatings.
Our operators are trained and are licensed, hold Working With Children Checks (WWWC)
and National Police Checks.
contact
Mobile: 0424 486 468
Landline: 02 4311 2161
e-mail: [email protected]
ABN. 47 640 895 558 | ACN. 640 895 558
Postal Address
PO BOX 6377,
Kincumber, NSW, 2251
Australia
warehouse Address
5-9 Cochrone Street, Kincumber NSW, 2251, Australia
