Homes and buildings made of brick or stone are beautiful and add an aesthetic value that’s unmatched by traditional vinyl or wood. Brick and stone help increase longevity and often require less maintenance than other types of building materials. However, over time brick and stone can get dirty and create an unsightly appearance. Since they’re such porous materials, they can be difficult to clean with traditional measures. Luckily, power washing your home or building is an effective, safe way to clean brick, stone, and even vinyl. You just have to make sure that you understand how to use a power washer to avoid causing any damages. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about power washing your home or building this summer.
If you’re hesitant to rent or buy a power washer, it’s important to understand some of the benefits of power washing aside from cleaning brick or stone. Power washing can help you prevent damages from mold or mildew. Mold and mildew accumulate slowly over time and seep into the mortar joints, which can cause problems with your tuckpointing. Power washing removes mold and mildew and saves you time and money on unnecessary repairs. This also helps to keep your family safe and healthy from the harmful effects of certain types of mold. Power washing will also remove any dirt or grime that can contribute to illnesses inside the home. It removes allergens in and around your home to help keep your family comfortable. Power washing your home or building in the summer is the perfect time to remove allergens before winter sets in.
Power washing is also the best way to improve your home’s curb appeal and property value fast. When you remove built-up stains and dirt, you’ll reveal a home or business that looks brand new. It’s a great way to give your home a makeover without having to spend a fortune on costly renovations. If you’re planning on selling your home, power washing will improve your chances of closing and can increase your home’s value by as much as 5%.
While the initial investment of a power washer seems high, the benefits are well worth it. Plus, power washing is considered a safe, economical way to clean your brick or stone building. It’s non-abrasive and when done correctly, won’t damage your home.
In order to avoid any damages, you need to make sure and follow the proper steps to power washing. Before anything, take the time to thoroughly inspect your masonry. If you notice any damages such as failing mortar, missing bricks, or signs of weakness, do not use your power washer. You need to make sure and get damages repaired by a professional masonry company first, otherwise you’ll end up causing more problems. After getting any repairs done, you need to wait at least 7 days for the tuckpointing to settle and the mortar to harden. If you power wash too early, you’ll reverse any repairs and create an expensive situation.
Once it’s safe to use your power washer, start by wetting the surface that you’re going to clean. By saturating the bricks or stone with water, you prime them to be cleaned. Next you will apply the detergent that you’re going to use. We recommend starting with a mild detergent first and increasing the strength if needed. Generously apply your detergent and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. Brush out any tough stains with a strong scrub brush and heavy-duty detergent. The scrub brush will help to lift the dirt or grime so that it can be removed with a power washer. Once you’ve gotten all of the stains, you can use your power washer to rinse the detergent off. Use a delicate setting on brick and stone and a stronger setting if you’re cleaning concrete. Spray your structure from side to side, top to bottom and avoid stalling for too long in one area.
When it comes time for your inspection or repairs, opt for a professional you can trust. Chicago Tuckpointing Inc. is here to help you with all of your brick and stone needs from inspections to repairs and everything in between. All of our professionals have over 20 years of experience and work with transparency and integrity on every job. If you’re in need of a tuckpointing job or inspection, don’t hesitate to call us today at Chicago Tuckpointing Inc. You can reach us by phone at (708) 942-1951 or by filling out a contact form on our website at http://chicagotuckpointinginc.com.