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Compared to the cost of a brick, stone or architectural concrete building, the price of post-construction clean down is no more than an afterthought. A good clean down brings out the true beauty of the masonry. But if the masonry is cleaned incorrectly, its appearance may be ruined beyond repair.
Here are the top 10 tips for avoiding common pitfalls in cleaning new masonry construction:

1. Do not sandblast or use hydrochloric acid
   Both methods damage surfaces. Blasting with sand or sand-substitutes etches brick and mortar joints. It leaves masonry vulnerable to weather-related decay.
   Likewise, hydrochloric acid won't stop with dissolving job dirt and mortar smears. It may also etch, bleach, streak, burn or create brand-new metallic stains on the new masonry. Safety Klean is currently the only effective new build cleaning solution that contains no hydrochloric acid.
2. Use Safety Klean from Tensid
   Proprietary cleaners, such as Safety Klean, have special ingredients that increase "dwell-time," making them more effective over a larger area than raw acids. Those same ingredients make results uniform over the entire masonry surface. Many will actually improve the original colour depth and uniformity of brick, block, tile and other masonry.
3. Don't clean until the mortar has cured
   The best time to clean is 14 to 28 days after construction is complete. Mortar and grout smears get tougher to clean the longer they're on the surface. Cleaning before the mortar has cured – usually within seven days – may damage the joints. One exception: high-strength mortars (type "S" or compressive strength of 1800 psi and above) are best cleaned within 3 to 7 days. Always test first.
4. Religiously follow all safety precautions in the product literature
   Many of these guidelines are common sense, like "don't get this product in your eyes," or "wear protective clothing." Guidelines such as "don't cut or alter these cleaners with other chemicals, or with bleaches – toxic gases may be released" may save lives as well as masonry.
   Use the cleaner only as specified. Results may be unpredictable if you use the cleaner for anything else. By closely following all safety guidelines - written by field service experts, you maximize your chances for a successful, accident-free cleaning job.
5. Always test before you clean
   Try out your cleaner on a hidden or out of the way part of the surface. Manufacturers usually recommend test-cleaning a one metre square area. Test each kind of surface and each kind of stain. What dissolves one kind of stain might leave another untouched. What cleans beautifully on one surface might damage another. Not all mistakes in masonry cleaning can be fixed.
   Test under the same conditions you'll have for cleaning. Test panels you made in August might not be accurate for cleaning in October when temperatures are lower. Clean with the same dilution and equipment you tested.
6. Soak the masonry with clean water (pre-wetting) before applying cleaner
   This is perhaps the most critical step in giving a building a uniform, clean appearance. Pre-wetting keeps the cleaner on the surface, where it does its job. The cleaner can't soak into a thoroughly pre-wetted surface. The water has already done that. This helps prevent damage to the building.
   As you move down a wall, cleaning as you go, make sure to pre-wet as you go.
7. Apply the cleaner with low-pressure spray or masonry washing brush
   High-pressure spray – above 50 psi – drives the cleaner right into the brick. Once in, it's difficult or impossible to rinse out. Stains result. It's not an issue if you apply with low-pressure spray, foam lance or a densely-packed, soft-fibered masonry washing brush.
   Stains and residue can also result from letting the cleaner "dry in" to the masonry.
   Thoroughly pre-wetting helps prevent drying in. You can also reapply the product for an additional minute or two if the first application is drying out too quickly. In hot sunny conditions, clean smaller areas to avoid drying in.
8. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water after cleaning
   A few passes with a garden hose is not good enough. Weak rinsing leaves stains and residue. On outside surfaces, high-pressure water rinses of at least 400 psi and 15-21 litres per minute are standard. Inside, use lots of clean water and a sponge or soft-fibered brush to rinse the surface.
   If you don't have lots of clean water, apply a neutralizing solution of 2 ounces baking soda per gallon of water. Let it dwell for three to five minutes. Then wipe it off with clean water and a sponge or soft-fibered brush.
9. Don't clean in cold weather without special precautions
   It's best to clean when air and masonry surface temperatures are 40°F or above. It's best NOT to clean when temperatures are below freezing or will be overnight.
   Many cleaning compounds depend on chemical reactions to work. Cold slows the reaction. You may try to compensate by over applying, and accidentally damage the masonry.
   When it's 32°F or below, rinse water can freeze in saturated masonry, causing more damage.
   However, during the cold months, if both air and masonry surface temperatures rise above 40° (check the masonry with a thermometer), go ahead, with these precautions:
   Use hot water (180&deg) for pre-wetting and rinsing. Raising the surface temperature improves the efficiency of the cleaner.
   Extend dwell time by 10-20%, but don’t let the cleaner dry in.
   Consider scaffolding covered with polyethylene. Space heaters inside may warm the surface enough for effective cleaning.
   A final caution - the test panels you did in warm weather won’t be accurate for cold weather. Test in cold weather if you clean in cold weather.
10. Never go it alone
    Never try to guess your way through problems or questions. New Brick Clean are professional brickwork cleaners. The right answer is usually just a phone call away.