Brick and natural stone are more delicate than most people assume, and getting the method wrong can cause damage that costs far more to fix than the original clean. Brick cleaning cost varies mainly by method: soft washing and steam (DOFF) cleaning price differently and suit different situations, and picking the right one matters as much as the price itself.
This guide covers what affects a quote for both methods and explains clearly why pressure washing brick is usually the wrong call, whatever a cut-price quote might suggest, especially on older properties where the wrong method can genuinely cause lasting damage.
Soft wash pricing for brick
The quote depends on the wall area, surface condition, amount of growth, treatment method and access to each elevation. It's the go-to method for general maintenance cleaning and works well on most brick and stone types.
It's a gentler, lower-cost option than steam cleaning and is well suited to routine upkeep rather than removing deeply ingrained staining or paint.
Steam (DOFF) cleaning pricing
DOFF cleaning uses superheated steam at low pressure to lift dirt, paint, graffiti and stubborn organic growth without the water volume of traditional pressure washing, making it safer for old or soft brick and listed stonework. A quote depends on the area to clean, surface condition, access and any additional treatment needed.
It's the right call for heritage brick and stone, paint removal, or where a client specifically wants minimal water ingress into old, potentially porous or lime-mortared walls, but it's overkill (and unnecessary expense) for a routine algae clean that soft washing would handle just as well.
When NOT to pressure wash brick
Standard pressure washing forces water into brick and mortar joints at a volume and pressure that can erode soft or old mortar, drive damp into the wall, and in worst cases dislodge or spall brick faces, particularly on older properties with lime mortar rather than modern cement pointing. This is one of the most common and costly mistakes made by inexperienced or corner-cutting operators.
If a firm's only offer for brick cleaning is a straightforward pressure wash with no mention of biocide, soft washing or DOFF steam, that's worth questioning, especially on any property built before the 1970s or with visible lime mortar pointing.
Getting the method right for your property
Before booking, ask what era your property is likely to be and mention any known issues like damp, previously repointed sections, or soft, crumbly brick you've noticed. A conscientious cleaner will use this to choose between soft washing and steam rather than applying the same approach to every job regardless of building age.
If in doubt, a small test patch in an inconspicuous area is a reasonable request before committing to a full-house clean, particularly on a property where the brick or mortar condition is uncertain, and any operator confident in their method shouldn't hesitate to demonstrate it first.
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