Expert Cleaning for Brick, Stone, and Block

Professional power washing safely removes years of dirt, pollution, mold, and staining from masonry surfaces without damaging brick, stone, or mortar. Proper cleaning restores your building's appearance, prepares surfaces for waterproofing, and is essential before many masonry repairs.

Not all power washing is the same. Too much pressure or wrong techniques permanently damage masonry. Experience matters.

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What We Clean

Brick Buildings

Years of exposure cause:

• Dirt and pollution buildup
• Black carbon staining
• Biological growth (algae, mold, mildew)
• Efflorescence (white deposits)
• General grime

Professional cleaning reveals the original brick color and dramatically improves appearance.

Stone Masonry

Stone cleaning requires special care:

• Limestone (very soft, needs gentle methods)
• Sandstone (porous, easily damaged)
• Granite (harder, can handle more pressure)
• Different stones need different approaches

We adjust methods based on stone type.

Concrete Block

Plain or decorative block:

• Painted or unpainted
• Split-face or smooth
• Foundation walls
• Retaining walls

Chimneys

Chimney cleaning removes:

• Years of weather staining
• Creosote streaks
• Efflorescence
• Biological growth

Clean chimneys before tuckpointing or waterproofing.

Driveways and Patios

Hardscape surfaces:

• Brick pavers
• Concrete
• Stone patios
• Walkways

Building Foundations

Foundation cleaning for:

• Inspection before waterproofing
• Preparation for repairs
• General maintenance

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Why Professional Power Washing Matters

Damage from Improper Washing

Too much pressure causes:

• Brick face spalling (surface blows off)
• Mortar erosion and damage
• Stone surface destruction
• Permanent texture loss
• Water forced behind brick faces

We've seen thousands of dollars in damage from improper pressure washing. This isn't DIY work.

Wrong Techniques Damage Masonry

Common mistakes:

• Using pressure too high for masonry
• Holding nozzle too close
• Wrong angle of attack
• No pressure regulation
• Cheap equipment with inconsistent pressure

Proper Methods Protect Your Investment

Professional washing uses:

• Appropriate pressure for each surface
• Correct nozzles and techniques
• Specialized cleaning solutions when needed
• Experience knowing what works and what damages

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Our Power Washing Process

1. Assessment

We evaluate:

• Masonry type and condition
• Type of staining or buildup
• Appropriate cleaning methods
• Pressure and technique to use
• Whether repairs are needed first

Damaged masonry sometimes needs tuckpointing or brick repair before washing.

2. Protection and Preparation

Before washing:

• Protect windows, doors, landscaping
• Cover electrical fixtures
• Pre-wet surfaces when appropriate
• Set up containment for runoff

3. Cleaning Solution Application

For heavy staining:

• Apply appropriate cleaning solutions
• Biological cleaners for mold/mildew
• Efflorescence removers
• Gentle masonry detergents
• Allow dwell time for effectiveness

We avoid harsh acids that damage masonry.

4. Low-Pressure Washing

Proper technique:

• Start with lowest effective pressure
• Increase only if needed
• Keep appropriate distance
• Use proper angle (not direct blasting)
• Work systematically
• Rinse thoroughly

Typical pressures:

• Soft brick: 500-1200 PSI
• Hard brick: 1200-2000 PSI
• Concrete block: 2000-3000 PSI
• Limestone: 300-800 PSI (very gentle)
• Sandstone: 500-1000 PSI

Compare to typical home pressure washers at 2500-4000 PSI used incorrectly at close range. This destroys brick.

5. Final Rinse

Complete rinsing removes:

• All cleaning solution residue
• Loosened dirt and debris
• Ensures clean appearance

6. Inspection

After drying:

• Verify complete cleaning
• Check for any damage
• Identify areas needing additional attention
• Document results

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What Power Washing Removes

Dirt and Pollution

Years of accumulation:

• Urban pollution and soot
• Airborne particulates
• Road grime on lower sections
• General environmental dirt

Biological Growth

Organic staining:

• Black mold and mildew
• Green algae
• Lichen growth
• Moss accumulation

Especially common on north-facing walls that stay damp.

Efflorescence

White powdery deposits:

• Mineral salts from water movement
• Often seasonal
• Indicates moisture issues
• Comes back if water problems continue

We can remove it, but fix the underlying moisture problem or it returns.

Paint Overspray

Construction residue:

• Old paint drips
• Overspray from adjacent work
• Requires special techniques and solutions

Rust Stains

From lintel corrosion:

• Orange/brown streaks below windows
• Indicates lintel problems
• May require specialized rust removers
• Address the corroded lintel too

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When to Power Wash

Regular Maintenance Schedule

Every 2-5 years depending on:

• Exposure to pollution
• Biological growth tendency
• Building location
• Aesthetic standards

Regular cleaning prevents heavy buildup.

Before Other Services

Clean before:

• Tuckpointing - See joint conditions clearly
• Waterproofing - Essential for proper adhesion
• Masonry restoration - Assess true conditions
• Brick repair - Identify all damage

Before Selling

Improve curb appeal:

• Makes huge visual difference
• Relatively inexpensive improvement
• Shows proper maintenance
• Increases perceived value

After Construction

Remove construction debris:

• Mortar splashes
• Paint overspray
• General construction dirt
• Prepare for final appearance

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What Power Washing Won't Fix

Doesn't Repair Damage

Cleaning reveals problems but doesn't fix:

• Deteriorated mortar joints
• Cracked or damaged bricks
• Structural issues
• Failed lintels

You'll see these problems more clearly after cleaning, which is good for planning repairs.

Won't Remove All Staining

Some stains are permanent:

• Deep rust staining may remain
• Some paint stains are too deep
• Aged patina is part of the brick
• Very old staining may be set

We'll tell you realistic expectations.

Won't Stop Future Growth

Cleaning removes existing:

• Mold and mildew
• Algae and lichen

But growth returns without:

• Addressing moisture sources
• Improving drainage
• Waterproofing treatment
• Fixing underlying problems

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DIY vs. Professional

Risks of DIY Power Washing

Equipment problems:

• Rental units with poor pressure regulation
• Too much pressure for masonry
• Wrong nozzles
• No experience with techniques

Common DIY damage:

• Blown-off brick faces
• Eroded mortar joints
• Stone surface destruction
• Water forced into wall cavities
• Damage costing thousands to fix

Safety issues:

• Working on ladders with equipment
• High-pressure water injuries
• Falls from heights
• Electrical hazards

Professional Advantages

We provide:

• Proper equipment and pressure regulation
• Experience with different masonry types
• Knowledge of what pressure to use where
• Appropriate cleaning solutions
• Safety equipment and procedures
• Insurance protection

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Special Cleaning Situations

Historic Buildings

Historic masonry requires:

• Gentlest possible methods
• Test areas first
• Appropriate for sensitive materials
• Preservation standards compliance

We have extensive historic building experience.

Painted Brick

Don't paint brick, but if yours is painted:

• Standard washing for routine cleaning
• Paint removal requires different methods
• Stripping painted brick is expensive
• Results vary by paint type and age

Delicate Stone

Soft stone like limestone:

• Ultra-low pressure only
• Specialized techniques
• Chemical cleaning sometimes better
• Never sandblasting

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Related Services

Power washing often accompanies:

• Tuckpointing - Clean before repointing
• Waterproofing - Must wash before applying
• Masonry Restoration - Part of restoration process
• Chimney Repair - Clean chimneys during repair
• Brick Repair - Assess damage after cleaning

We coordinate washing with all masonry services.

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Common Questions

Will power washing damage my old brick? Not when done properly with appropriate pressure and technique. Improper washing causes damage.

How often should I have my building washed? Every 2-5 years typically, more often for high-pollution areas or biological growth.

Can you remove paint from brick? Paint removal is possible but difficult, expensive, and results vary. Better to not paint brick in the first place.

What about the white stuff on my bricks? That's efflorescence from water moving through masonry. We can clean it, but it returns until moisture problems are fixed.

Will washing remove rust stains? Many rust stains, yes. Deep or old stains may be permanent. We'll do specialized rust removal when needed.

Can I just use a regular pressure washer? No. Typical consumer units use too much pressure and cause permanent damage. Professional equipment and expertise matter.

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Why Choose Arrow Masonry

50+ Years of Experience

We know exactly what pressure and techniques work for each masonry type.

Proper Equipment

Commercial equipment with accurate pressure control, not consumer rentals.

No Damage

We've never damaged customer masonry in over 50 years because we use appropriate methods.

Complete Service

We often wash as part of tuckpointing, restoration, or waterproofing projects.

See our work and read reviews.

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Get Your Free Power Washing Estimate

We'll assess your building, explain our cleaning approach, and provide a detailed quote.

Call: (847) 776-6400

Serving Chicagoland with professional power washing services.

Learn more about Arrow Masonry.

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Professional power washing since 1972. Clean masonry without damage.