Facing Brick Specification Guide
Maintenace + Guidance
MAINTENANCE GUIDANCE
General Health + Safety note Some of the cleaning methods described may involve the use of cleaning materials which must be used correctly and strictly in accordance with suppliers’ / manufacturers’ recommendations. The following precautions should also be noted:
The use of a stiff brush is recommended for several of the operations described below. Always use a brush with either natural or nylon bristles. Never, under any circumstances, use a wire bristled brush and avoid any process that detrimentally affects the surface structure and colour of the facing bricks.
• Appropriate protective clothing such as gloves, goggles, ear defenders, boots and overalls should be worn.
Care should always be taken to avoid any excessive localised scrubbing.
• Adequate ventilation is required in confined spaces when using chemicals.
Cleaning of facing bricks:
• When using flammable materials, cigarettes, naked flames and other sources of ignition should be avoided. • When diluting acid based cleaners, ALWAYS add acid to water and not water to cleaner. • Any clothing which is contaminated with chemicals should be disposed of safely. • Care must be taken not to damage, contaminate or stain any adjoining materials. • Personnel operating in the area of the cleaning must be protected from any hazard created by the cleaning. (Risk Assessments and COSHH are appropriate.) It is particularly important with all cleaning methods that a trial should be carried out on a small, inconspicuous area, to determine the effect of the treatment before commencing work on a larger area.
Construction blemishes ie. mortar stains and smears, mortar droppings and water marks. Prevention of any of the above is ultimately preferable to trying to carry out remedial cleaning. Good standards of work supervision and workmanship are needed to achieve the full benefit of a fair-faced, self-coloured brick-work finish. Mortar stains and smears can be carefully removed with an appropriate cleaning product. Products of this type must be used strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and washed down thoroughly afterwards with water from a low pressure hose.
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