How to Renew Old Brick

Old brick adds character and charm to the facade of a house or patio. Unfortunately, some old brick does not look charming; it has stains you have to remove before you can renew the surface. Bricks are strong and durable, yet their lightweight, compact size makes them a favorite building material of masons and homeowners. Begin all brick restoration by cleaning bricks with a mild detergent and a long-handled stiff broom. Wet the brick surface and dip the broom into soapy water, scrub in a circular pattern and rinse thoroughly.

Brown Stains - Manganese

• 1

  Mix 6 cups water, 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup hydrogen peroxide in a large bucket.

• 2

  Wet the brick with plain water. Dip a scrub brush into the mixture; scrub away stains.

• 3

  Flush thoroughly with plain water.

White Stains - Efflorescence

• 1

  Don safety goggles, acid-approved respirator and rubber gloves.

• 2

  Mix 1 cup muriatic acid with 10 cups water for dark-colored bricks or 1 cup muriatic acid with 15 cups water for light-colored brick.

• 3

  Wet the brick with plain water. Dip a long-handled stiff brush into the mixture; scrub the white stains.

• 4

  Rinse well with plain water.

Green Stains - Vanadium Salts

• 1

  Wear safety goggles, acid-approved respirator and rubber gloves.

• 2

  Combine 1 cup muriatic acid with 10 cups water for dark-colored bricks or 1 cup muriatic acid with 15 cups water for light-colored brick.

• 3

  Scrub the brick with the diluted muriatic acid. Rinse thoroughly.

• 4

  Mix 8 oz. potassium hydroxide in 1 gallon water.

• 5

  Apply the mixture to the green stains with a scrub brush. Allow to sit for two or three days. Wash off with plain water.

Oil or Roofing Tar

• 1

  Apply an emulsifying agent to the stains. Emulsifying agents break down oils, grease and tar.

• 2

  Allow the emulsifying agent to remain on the stain according to the package directions, generally two to four hours.

• 3

  Rinse well with plain water.

Paint

• 1

  Apply a generous coat of paint remover with a paintbrush.

• 2

  Allow the paint remover to sit on the stain for 15 to 30 minutes.

• 3

  Brush the paint stain with a wire brush to remove the stain.

Rust

• 1

  Mix 16 oz. oxalic acid in 1 gallon water.

• 2

  Brush a generous amount on the rust stains with a paintbrush.

• 3

  Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash off with a strong spray from a garden hose.