Cleaning CMU and Bricks after fire

[Lysol106]

Hey all! Long time lurker, first time poster.

A year ago, we had a devastating fire in our brick garage. We're about to, finally, start the rebuild. We had a structural engineer evaluate the structure and we can use 80% of the brick structure.

I've done some searching but I'm hoping to find some folks with direct experience with this. What is the best way to clean the soot / char off of the CMU and bricks? I've seen some cleaning agents but can't figure out what ht best would be. Is it as simple as just scrubbing and pressure washing, or would pressure washindo just as well?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[MOS3522]

I've used TSP to clean my fireplace bricks, just wear gloves.

I think a pressure washer will require some skill to avoid damaging the bricks. They are surprisingly soft when under a heavy stream.

 

[The Metric System]

I had a similar issue and got good results on CMU with an angle grinder running a brass brush. It took the majority of the soot off but didn't damage the surface at all. A face shield and respirator is highly recommended.

I don't know if that would work with bricks, though.

 

[egdede]

I've usd this on brick. It is spendy but relatively clean. We culdn't bring a pressure washer inside but wanted to clean 50 year old chimney brick.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CFLE2UQ?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[kwb]

For shop under reconstruction pressure washer.

Paint it when you get the structure completed. It will never be uniform.

 

[Old tool guy]

Sand blast with walnut shells?

 

[PoorUB]

I would spray them down with Simple Green and pressure wash at a reasonable distance, or with the pressure turned down to no erode the block.

 

[BobnCO]

You will probably paint and seal the interior to encapsalate the smell or it will smell like smoke forever.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Depending on the type of brick, gentle sandblasting may work but only if it has a hard face. Blasting can ruin softer bricks.

 

[Dagny]

Right all bricks are not created equal.