Cleaning brick

[Humphreyp]

So, while not necessarily tile related, masonry it still is, and therefore cleaning is a discussion.

Homeowners that I'm tiling for have asked if I can clean the brick above the fireplace. I believe I was leaking at some point long ago. I took a moisture meter to it and it's all dry.

That said, what chemicals should I use? As I can tile your whole house but scared of staining things.

[Humphreyp]

Cx,

Please rotate it for me. I have no clue why it always does this to me

[Davy]

Do you have any idea what has caused the stain? Is it mold or is there something from above that has bled into it?

[Gozo]

Give it a fine sand blasting. It’ll make quite a bit of a mess to clean up in the room though.
Something leached in with the leak. Is it just on the surface, or has it penetrated into the brick? I suspect if you try to just clean or debride just that area, it’ll leave a noticeably visible difference.

[Humphreyp]

I haven't even touched it yet. I believe it's one of those moments where you question whether you should or shouldn't. While we all love to expand our knowledge and usefulness (billable) there's also that line where: I might make this worse and now it's on me.

I am nervous it might show where it was cleaned. Or attempted cleaning. But , on one hand it has to be better than what's there. I thought about soda blasting, bagging the room, but, for some reason white wine vinegar, tsp, scrubbing bubbles, all came to mind.

From what I understand, the roof flashing had failed over time letting water seep in. So what precisely the stain is idk. I will put a ladder to it Monday by end of day and assess.

[Davy]

Pat, I would try the products you mentioned on a single brick just to see if anything works. Sand blasting might work but who knows, you might have to sand blast the whole thing if it changes the appearance.

I'd wipe a single brick with a rag saturated with Acetone just to see if anything comes off.

[cx]

I'm trying to think what sort of staining material might come down through an attic from a roof, and I think my first cleaning test would be with something like 409 Multi Surface Cleaner because I'm inclined to think it should be water soluble.

Like Davy, I'd wanna limit my test to one brick or joint before I committed to anything rash.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[Humphreyp]

Tsp/crl, warm water and a good scrub brush.

They were happy I was happy and out the door I went.

[Davy]

Looks better, another happy customer.