The steps on how to pressure wash a brick house are listed below:
- The bricks should be inspected and damaged spots should be patched 7 days before pressure washing the house,
- Doors and windows should be closed and plants should be protected with a tarp,
- The brick should be sprayed with clear water,
- Detergent should be applied to bricks and left to sit on the surface for 10 minutes,
- Detergent should be rinsed from the brick house.
Information about why use a pressure washer for brick houses, when to pressure wash a brick house, the equipment needed to pressure wash a brick house, the steps that need to be taken to power wash a brick house, and how long does it take to pressure wash a brick house are listed below.
Why Use a Pressure Washer For Brick Houses?
A pressure washer has enough power to wash off mildew and mold that sticks to brick houses and it can restore the initial brick appearance. Pressure washing can remove tough and oily stains from brick, which no other cleaning method can. Pressure washing brick houses reduces the need for repainting the brick since it removes dirt and helps it retain its color.
Lichen and moss can develop within the mortar joints after the rain that can be eliminated only by using a pressure washer. Lichen and moss can penetrate the brick and living in the house would be perilous for people with asthma or allergies.
How Often Should You Pressure Wash a Brick House?
A brick house should be pressure washed once to two times a year. Brick houses that are located in areas where there are many trees and plants accumulate dust, moss, and mold easier and should be pressure washed two times per year to remove algae, mold, and mildew.
Equipment Needed to Pressure Wash a Brick House
Equipment needed to pressure wash a brick house is listed below:
- Pressure washer,
- Pressure washer brush,
- Pressure washer extension wand,
- Pressure washer detergent,
- Safety goggles.
Steps on How to Pressure Wash a Brick House
Pressure washer accessories, including a pressure washer hose and a pressure washer extension wand should be connected to the pressure washer, then the machine should be turned on and set to the medium pressure setting, between 2,000 and 3,200 PSI maximum,- The brick should be sprayed with pure water to remove a layer of dirt and dust and to soften stains,
- Warm water should be applied to brick if mildew has grown on its surface, otherwise, cold water can be used,
- The detergent container should be filled with detergent formulated for exterior brick and sprayed onto the brick from bottom to the top,
- A pressure washer brush can be used for scrubbing tough stains off brick,
- The pressure washer brush should be taken off and detergent should be rinsed away from the brick house from top to bottom.
What Nozzles To Use for Pressure Washing a Brick House
Black and white nozzles should be used for pressure washing a brick house. The black nozzle has a large opening that delivers a wide spray and prevents water pressure from building up and it is used for soaping the brick. White nozzles have smaller openings and deliver fan spray at 40 degrees so the pressure coming out is higher, which is needed for rinsing off the soap from the brick house.
FAQ
1. Is it OK to pressure wash a brick house?
Pressure washing a brick house is OK as long as the pressure applied doesn’t exceed 3,200 PSI and under the condition the brick is not damaged, otherwise, pressure washing can damage the grout or make bricks go loose or crack. Brick is a porous material that absorbs moisture, which is why it should be pressure washed and protected using vapor or air barriers or surface sealers.
2. How do you pressure wash an old brick house?
Before pressure washing an old brick house, all the bricks should be inspected and the brick should be patched if it is showing signs of damage, otherwise, the structural cohesiveness of the house can be damaged. One week after the brick has been repaired, the house can be pressure washed while using a pressure washer at the lowest pressure setting or around 1,200 PSI, combined with a wide fan-spray nozzle, and at a distance of 40 cm or further. After the old brick house has been pressure washed, a sealant should be applied to protect the brick.
3. Can I pressure wash a sandstone brick house?
Sandstone brick houses should never be pressure washed since water pressure can make sandstone crumble or chip and get damaged long-term. When pressure washing sand-faced brick houses, a pressure washer should be used at the lowest setting of 800 PSI so that orange and red patches are not formed on the brick.
4. What do you spray on the brick before pressure washing?
The brick should be sprayed with water before pressure washing in order to saturate it and to remove layers of dirt. Then, a pressure washer detergent can be applied since it will stick better to the brick when it is already wet.
5. How long does it take to pressure wash a brick house?
It takes 45 minutes to 2 and a half hours to pressure wash a brick house. Setting up a pressure washer takes 15 minutes, spraying the house with water, applying detergent and rinsing the house off takes 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the size of the house.
