Brick as manufactured and delivered to the site should require minimal or no cleaning. If cleaning is required to remove mortar or construction dirt, the bucket and brush method of cleaning brick masonry, using cleaning agents recommended by General Shale Products Corporation, is preferred. If other methods, such as pressure washing, and/or materials are used, it is strongly suggested they be tested for suitability on disposable panels or non-critical wall areas.
Keep the wall as clean as possible during construction in order to reduce the amount of cleaning necessary later.
For best results cleaning should be performed as soon as possible, but not until, initial mortar set has occurred, typically (2-5 days). The heavier mortar stains should be removed as completely as possible by mechanical means (paddles, scrapers, brushes, etc.) Cleaning should be completed before scaffolding is removed.
Select cleaning agent according to the following brick categories:
Category A brick may be cleaned with an all purpose commercial cleaning agent (at manufacturers recommended concentration). SureKleanâ products manufactured by ProSoCo Incorporated or Diedrich 200/202 New Masonry Detergent Cleaners manufactured by Diedrich Technologies, Inc. are recommended.
Category B brick may be subject to metallic staining and discoloration if abusively cleaned with ordinary proprietary cleaners. ProSoCo’s, SureKleanâ, Vanatrolâ or Diedrich’s 202V Vana-Stop manufactured by Diedrich Technologies, Inc. are specifically formulated to minimize this staining and are recommended (at manufacturers recommended concentration).
Category C brick have acid reactive coatings and may be subject to color range change if cleaned with acid-based cleaners. Non acidic detergents such as EnviroKleanâ, MPCâ manufactured by ProSoCo,. Incorporated, or Diedrich’s Green Clean 250 manufactured by Diedrich Technologies, Inc are recommended for removal of general construction dirt.
If category classification is unknown, contact the local brick distributor, dealer, or General Shale representative.
Test clean – Select an inconspicuous wall area to confirm method and cleaning agents are satisfactory. Make adjustments as indicated.
Pre-wet masonry – Thoroughly pre-wet wall area to be cleaned. The moisture absorbing capacity of the masonry must be satisfied before cleaners are applied.
Clean – Apply cleaning agent to masonry and scrub brick faces with stiff fiber brush.
Rinse – Before cleaning agents can dry or be absorbed into masonry, rinse cleaner, dissolved mortar, and loosened dirt completely off the masonry wall.
General Shale disclaims any and all responsibility for damages resulting from cleaning methods and materials.
Note: Additional brick cleaning information and guidelines for pressure washing methods can be found in the BIA (Brick Institute of America) Technical Note Number 20.
Masonry Products 