Brick Cleaning & Masonry Power Washing

A surface cleaner power washing concrete, half clean and half dirty

What we clean

Brick and stone walls darkened by dirt, mildew or algae
White salt staining (efflorescence)
Mortar haze left behind after new work
Patios, steps, walkways and driveways
Walls that need cleaning before repairs

How we do it

Test a small spotBrick and stone react differently, so we try the pressure and cleaner on an out-of-the-way spot first.
Protect the areaPlants and nearby surfaces get rinsed or covered before any cleaner goes on.
Wash with the right pressureWe adjust the pressure and nozzle to the surface and use masonry-safe cleaners where water alone isn't enough.
Rinse and checkEverything gets a full rinse, and we'll mention any mortar or brick problems we notice.

Why pressure matters

Brick has a hard outer face, and mortar is softer than brick on purpose. Blast either one with too much pressure and you open the wall up to water.

Too much pressureCuts into the joints and strips the brick face, so the wall soaks up more water.

Matched to the surfaceRemoves dirt and stains and leaves the brick face and joints intact.

What's included

Brick and stone wall cleaning
Efflorescence removal
Mortar haze cleanup after new work
Patios, steps and walkways
Driveways and concrete
Prep cleaning before repairs

What affects the price

Every job is different, so we price it after we see it. These are the things that move the number:

How much area needs cleaning
What the staining is: dirt, mildew, salts or mortar haze
The type of brick, stone or concrete
Height and access

Estimates are free.

Homeowner guideWhite stuff on your brick: what efflorescence meansThat white, powdery haze on brick is called efflorescence. The stain itself is harmless, but it means water is moving through the masonry, and that's worth paying attention to.

Questions about masonry cleaning

Will washing get rid of efflorescence for good?

Washing removes the salt on the surface. If water keeps moving through the wall, the white staining can come back, so we'll point out where the water is getting in.

Can power washing damage brick?

Yes, if the pressure is too high. Too much pressure cuts into mortar joints and strips the hard outer face off brick. We match the pressure to the surface and test first.

Where we do masonry cleaning

We work across Chicago and the suburbs, including:

Masonry cleaning & power washing