Chimney Doctor's Homeowner's Guide
How to Clean Fireplace Masonry
BRICK MASONRY CLEANING GUIDE
RED BRICK—TEXTURED & SMOOTH
This category includes all red through-the-body brick.
Brick in this category may be cleaned by the bucket and brush method, high water pressure method or by sandblasting. In the two "wet'" systems, a 10% solution or muriatic acid may be used, or approved commercial cleaning compounds.
Chimney Cleaning
Chimneys need periodic examination and thorough cleaning to maintain efficiency and to reduce the chance of a chimney fire. Build-up of creosote and soot that accumulates on the chimney walls reduces the draft needed by the stove or fireplace which may cause smoke to come out the opening or door. Creosote is flammable and can easily fuel a chimney fire. Methodical cleanings through the heating season combined with proper burning of fuel and systematic use of effective creosote and soot inhibitors, provides the best solution for trouble-free performance. If a fire has occurred, have your chimney thoroughly inspected by a certified professional before attempting to use it again.
RED BRICK—HEAVY SAND FINISH
This category includes all red through-the-body brick with various applied heavy sand finish faces.
Brick in this category may best be cleaned by the bucket and brush method. using plain water and scrub brush, or with lightly applied high pressure water system, with plain water being used. Sandblast cleaning is not recommended. If mortar stains are excessive. use of cleaning compounds may be required.
BROWN BRICK (Manganese Body), IRON-SPOT, GRAY, BUFF & WHITE
This category includes all textured and sand finish brick with through-the-body colors other than natural red.
Brick in this category may be cleaned by the bucket and brush method. or by lightly applied high pressure water system. Sandblast cleaning is also recommended except in the cases where heavy sand finish is involved. In the two wet cleaning systems. no mutiatic acid may be used. Only plain water and detergent. or Sure Klean Vanatrol or equal may be used.
SPECIALTY CLEANING
WHITE EFFLORESCENCE
White efflorescence is a water soluble salt that is brought to the surface of masonry by evaporation of either construction water, or by evaporation of rain water that has penetrated the wall.
Water used in mortar, grout, etc. will sometimes cause this "New Building Bloom." As the wall dries out. and as successive rains wash the wall, the "Bloom" should disappear.
If the masonry has received its regular cleaning and white efflorescence appears or reappears. no further action should be taken until the wall has had an opportunity to dry out completely. Application of additional cleaning solutions may only aggravate the problem at this point. Also, application of clear waterproofing materials at this time may lock in moisture and crystalline growth, causing more scumming and possible spalling of brick.
If efflorescence stains persist, it is likely that rainwater is penetrating the wall. An inspection or the stained areas should be made to determine if sizeable cracks or openings exist. permitting water penetration. Faulty flashing or a lack of flashing will contribute to staining.
Any large openings should be repaired. Where only very fine hairline cracks are assumed to be allowing water penetration, a clear waterproofing application may be the only solution to the problem short of a complete tuckpointing job.
Before applying waterproofing materials, all possible repairs should be made and all efflorescence removed. This may be removed by applying plain water and brushing the affected area. If water fails to remove stain, use dilute solution or commercial cleaning compounds such as Sure Klean 600 for red brick and Sure Klean Vanatrol for all others. Allow entire wall to dry out completely (over a period of little or no rainfall) before applying waterproofing solutions.
GREEN STAINS
Green staining is caused by presence or vanadium salts. Color and solubility of these salts are dependent upon acidity of the brick. Very often, green stains are brought about by wrongful use of muriatic acid or compounds containing muriatic acid. When green stains appear, the brick manufacturer should be consulted before attempting to remove the stain.
Green stains may be removed by using Sure Klean 800 Stain Remover or, if the bricks have been silicone treated, use Sure Klean Ferrous Stain Remover or a simular product.
<< Return to Homeowner's Guide
Chimney Doctors provides chimney and fireplace services to the following Southeastern Milwaukee & Southcentral Madison Wisconsin Communities:
Ashippun, Bayview, Big Bend, Brookfield, Butler, Cambridge, Cedarburg, Colgate, Cottage Grove, Cross Plains, Cudahy, Deerfield,
De Forest, Delafield, Dousman, Eagle, Elm Grove, Fitchburg, Franklin, Genessee Depot, Germantown, Grafton, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Hartford, Hartland, Hubertus, Ixonia, Jackson, Lannon, Madison, Marshall, McFarland, Menomonee Falls, Mequon, Merton, Middleton, Milwaukee, Monona, Mukwonago, Muskego, Nashotah, Neosho, New Berlin, North Lake, North Prairie, Oak Creek, Oconomowoc, Okauchee, Oregon, Pewaukee, Port Washington, Richfield, Rubicon, Saukville, Saint Francis, Shorewood, Slinger, South Milwaukee, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Sussex, Thiensville, Verona, Wales, Waukesha, Waunakee, Wauwatosa, West Allis, West Bend, and Windsor. Full Zip Code List