Norfolk has some of the most beautiful older homes in Hampton Roads: brick foursquares in Ghent, Colonial Place's front porches and Larchmont's tree-lined streets. Older brick and mortar need a different approach than a new vinyl-sided home, though, and the wrong cleaning method can do real damage.
Why older brick is easy to damage
The mortar between bricks in many older homes is softer than modern mortar, and older brick faces can be more porous. A high-pressure blast can wash mortar out of the joints, scar the brick face and drive water deep into the wall. Painted wood trim on historic homes can peel or splinter under too much pressure.
What's actually on your brick
- Black mildew and green algae, especially on shady side walls between close-set homes
- Dirt and soot on chimneys
- Silt lines after tidal flooding along the Lafayette and Elizabeth rivers
How we clean brick and masonry
We use a medium-pressure wash with care not to damage grout or the brick finish. Before we start, we check the mortar joints and the age of the brick. Older, softer brick gets an even gentler approach. We pre-soak the masonry so the detergent works on the surface, then rinse with the right tip and angle to protect the joints. Painted trim and siding get our low-pressure soft wash instead. See our brick & masonry cleaning service.
Chimneys, steps and walls
Chimneys collect black mildew on their shaded sides, and brick front steps and stoops wear a dark path from foot traffic. We clean chimneys, steps, retaining walls and block privacy walls, and you can see the half-cleaned before-and-afters in our gallery.
Serving Norfolk's historic neighborhoods
We clean homes throughout Ghent, Colonial Place, Larchmont, Edgewater, Talbot Park, Lafayette-Winona and Ocean View. Request a quote for brick cleaning in Norfolk or a full house wash in Norfolk. We serve older brick homes in Thoroughgood and Bayside in Virginia Beach too.
Frequently asked questions
Is pressure washing safe for old brick?
Only with the right technique. We use medium pressure, a careful angle and an even gentler approach on older, softer brick so mortar joints and brick faces aren't eroded.
Can you clean painted trim on a historic Norfolk home?
Yes. Painted wood and siding get our low-pressure soft wash, which cleans without peeling or stripping paint.
Do you clean chimneys in Norfolk?
Yes. We clean the exterior brick of chimneys and remove the black mildew and algae that build up on shaded sides.
Rick Monceaux is the owner of All In One Power Washing in Virginia Beach. He has been cleaning homes and businesses across Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk and the rest of Hampton Roads since 2010. Licensed & insured. More about Rick.
