How to clean brickwork in a fireplace.

[cjos66]

Any ideas on how to clean the blackened brickwork at the back of a 400 year old inglenook fireplace, in a grade 2* listed building?

The fireplace will only be decorative from now on as the chimney is capped off with a half round ridge tile, just for ventilation.

It is not for me but for our client who owns the house as we are project managing the job. I will not allow sand blasting as I have personally seen the terrible results. From a personal point of view I would leave it as it is as it is part of the character of the building but that is what the client wants.

Any help or suggestions will be gratefully received.

 

[chuckey]

I have tried this, the deposits are acidic in nature so caustic soda solution helps but does not do a very good job. Brick cleaner(acid based) does not touch them. Just thought, I did not try a steam stripper, I'll do it in a months time and let you know.
Frank

 

[Penners]

Here's an American suggestion (scroll down the page a bit).

No idea if it works.

 

[Raylea]

Hi,

I think you can still use the fireplace with a half ridge tile, it just stops the wind blowing the smoke back down the chimney.

Raylea

 

[Penners]

They don't want to use the fireplace. They want to clean combustion staining off the bricks.

 

[chuckey]

FYI, TSP is a surfactent (SP.?) I have come it, industrially as a non-foaming detergent. You could try dish washer detergent?
Frank

 

[Raylea]

Yep penners got that they wanted to clean the brick work. If they changed their minds they could still use it, sorry there was no advice on how to clean the bricks

Raylea