Got some old bricks sitting in your backyard? Thinking about using them for your next project? Smart move! Old bricks can make your home look amazing. But hold on – they need a good clean first.
Let us tell you something. We’ve seen people try to use dirty old bricks straight away. Big mistake! The dirt, old paint, and crusty mortar make them look terrible. Plus, they don’t stick together
properly when you’re building.
Why Bother Cleaning Old Bricks?
You might wonder – why not just buy new ones? Well, here’s the thing. Old bricks have character. They tell stories. Each one is unique. New bricks? They all look the same.
But dirty old bricks are useless. Here’s what happens when you clean them right:
The real colour comes back. You’d be surprised how bright red bricks can look under all that grime. Old paint chips fall off. Stubborn mortar comes loose. Instantly, your old bricks seem to be in readiness once more.
Think about it this way. Would you go to an interview with a dirty shirt? Of course not! The same goes for bricks. Clean them up, and they’ll do their job properly. That’s why many people choose refurbished bricks in Melbourne suppliers, because cleaned and ready bricks bring both beauty and strength to any project.
What Tools Do You Actually Need?
Don’t overthink this. You don’t need fancy equipment. Here’s what works:
Basic Tools:
- Wire brush (the stiffer, the better)
- Old chisel or scraper
- Bucket for water
- Garden hose
- Work gloves
- Safety glasses
Nice to Have:
- Pressure washer (makes life easier)
- Stiff broom
- Plastic scraper
That’s it. No expensive gadgets. No special chemicals. Just good old elbow grease and the right approach.
The Real Way to Clean Old Bricks
Forget what you’ve read online about using acids or harsh chemicals. That stuff can ruin your bricks. Here’s how real builders do it:
Start by Sorting
Look at each brick. Some might be cracked. Others might be perfect. Put the good ones in one pile. The damaged ones are in another. Only clean the ones worth saving.
Why waste time on broken bricks? Focus on quality, not quantity.
Attack the Big Stuff First
See those thick chunks of mortar? They’ve got to go. Take your chisel and tap them off gently. Don’t hammer like crazy – you’ll crack the brick.
Work from the corners toward the centre. The mortar usually comes off in pieces. Some bits are stubborn. That’s normal. Keep tapping gently.
Here’s a trick most people don’t know. Old mortar gets softer when it’s wet. Spray some water on it. Wait five minutes. Then try chiselling again.
Time for the Wire Brush
Now comes the fun part. Scrub each brick with your wire brush. Don’t be gentle here. Old bricks are tough. They can handle it.
Brush in different directions:
- Top to bottom
- Left to right
- Diagonal strokes
This gets dirt out of all the little holes and cracks. You’ll see years of grime coming off. It’s actually quite satisfying.
The Washing Stage
Fill your bucket with warm water. Add a squirt of dish soap. Nothing fancy – just regular washing up liquid.
Dip each brick in the soapy water. Let it sit for a minute. Then scrub again with your brush. The soap helps cut through grease and sticky dirt.
Some people ask me about pressure washers. Yes, they work great. But be careful. Use low pressure. High pressure can blast chunks right off old bricks.
Rinse and Repeat
After scrubbing, rinse each brick with clean water. Make sure all the soap comes off. Leftover soap can cause problems later when you’re building.
Look closely at each brick. Still dirty? Scrub it again. Some bricks need extra attention. That’s fine. Better to do it right the first time.
Drying Time
Put your cream bricks somewhere they can dry completely. This usually takes one or two days. Don’t rush it. Wet bricks are very difficult to handle.
Arrange them freely to allow the circulation of air. The sunshine is needed, though not crucial.
What Not to Do (Learn from Others’ Mistakes)
We’ve seen people mess this up in several ways. Don’t be that person:
Using Acid Cleaners: Some folks think stronger is better. Wrong! Acid can eat into the brick itself. Stick to water and mild soap.
Scrubbing Too Hard: Yes, scrub firmly. But don’t try to remove every tiny mark. Some character is good.
Forgetting Safety Gear: Flying chips of mortar can hurt your eyes. Wear those safety glasses.
Working Too Fast: This job takes time. Rushing leads to poor results and possible injury.
When to Call in the Experts
It is not always the best option to go it alone. However, when you have more than a few hundred bricks to clean, consider getting assistance. Professional suppliers like Bricks Victoria, who deal with old red bricks for sale in Victoria, have the right equipment and experience.
They can clean large quantities quickly and properly. Plus, they know which bricks are worth saving and which ones aren’t.
Also, if your bricks have thick paint or weird stains, professionals might be your best bet. They’ve seen it all before.
Special Cases: What About Paint?
Paint on old bricks is tricky. Fresh paint might come off with scrubbing. Old, thick paint? That’s harder.
Try the wire brush first. If that doesn’t work, you can use a plastic scraper. Metal scrapers can scratch the brick.
For really stubborn paint, professionals use special paint removers designed for masonry. But honestly, sometimes a bit of paint adds character. Don’t stress about getting every last bit off.
Making Your Hard Work Last
Once your bricks are clean and dry, store them properly:
- Keep them off the ground. Use wooden pallets or concrete blocks. This stops moisture from seeping up.
- Cover them if rain is coming. Clean bricks can get dirty again surprisingly quickly.
- Stack them carefully. Don’t just dump them in a pile. Take a few extra minutes to stack them neatly.
It is not very easy and fast to clean old bricks, but it is worth doing. Proper equipment, no hurry, and you will have a good look. Clean bricks may make a wall, a pizza oven, or even a part of your house. They possess an appeal lacking in new bricks. Whenever you pass by them, you will be proud of what you have done. Go start, now, those bricks will not clean themselves!