Bricksetting clean up

Stan in Oly, WA · May 19, 2010

If I have an experienced bricklayer build some walls and do other misc. brickwork for me, how clean can I expect the work to be when he is done? Would there normally be mortar smeared on the faces and tops of some of the bricks? Is it normal practice to clean the brick at the end of a day's work (or more often) or only at the end of the whole job? Can the brick be cleaned with plain water at some point or does it usually require using chemical cleaners? How careful should I expect him to be in protecting finished areas (lawns, flowerbeds, sidewalks, etc.) from dropped and splashed mortar? I don't want to make an issue of what seems sloppy work to me if it's normal to leave all cleanup to the end of the job. What I suspect is that it's not going to happen, but it's outside my experience so I don't know for sure.

Thanks, Stan

Anonymous-0 · May 19, 2010

If you hire an "experienced" brick layer there should be very little if any mortar at all on the face of the brick. What might get splattered on occasionally from working the mortar should get cleaned off during the course of the day. All areas such as sidewalks and etc. should be covered. As far as who cleans up the grounds after the job is complete (broken bricks mortar and etc.) should be agreed upon before job is started.

Northbender · May 19, 2010

Ask your brick layer if he is planning on acid washing the bricks when he is done. I am not a bricklayer by trade but still end up doing some smaller jobs occasionally. Usually use a muriatic acid solution when done to clean up the face.

4 bottem · May 19, 2010

Ive have never cleaned a brick job and have laid brick for many years of my life. You did not get a experienced brick layer plain and simple. Muratic will usually do a job if the morter isn't smeared too thick on the face. Expect a color change when you treat with acid.

Anonymous-0 · May 19, 2010

My dad was a brick mason, and I spent many summers "helping" (tending), which included cleaning up after the masons he had working for him. A good mason leaves very little mortar on the face of the brick----period.
There is usually some spatter to tend with, but that is easier to clean when fresh (daily) than it is letting it set up.
As for chemical cleaners---muriatic acid is very effective at removing mortar, but you have to be sure the brick will withstand that treatment before using it. Usually, if there is any type of decorative finish on the face of the brick, the acid will remove that as well, or discolor it.
Good Luck!

Anonymous-0 · May 19, 2010

I agree with part time job! and would add it is to be washed down a solution of muratic acid and water with a stiff brush. And I used to lay brick,block and stone. Mike

Bricksetting clean up

Stan in Oly, WA

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Anonymous-0

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Northbender

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4 bottem

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Anonymous-0

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Anonymous-0

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