Low-pressure chemical pre-treatments dissolve lichen and mineral efflorescence from Holland brick masonry without blasting out mortar.

Yes, high pressure destroys mortar. We use a 20-minute foaming chemical dwell to dissolve lichen roots, followed by a 400 PSI rinse.

Lichen is a composite organism of fungi and algae that sends microscopic root structures deep into the porous matrix of clay brick and mortar joints. When an inexperienced contractor attacks this with a 3000 PSI pencil tip, the water stream functions like a chisel: it gouges the brick faces and dislodges sandy mortar joints, resulting in thousands of dollars in repointing bills.

Jake's Power Washing applies a specialized bio-surfactant foam at under 100 PSI. The chemistry penetrates the root system, kills the fungal anchor cells, and turns black crust into a loose organic residue within twenty minutes. We then wash the wall using a wide 40-degree low-pressure tip running at 300 to 500 PSI. The brick emerges spotless, and every mortar line remains structurally sound.

That chalky haze is mineral efflorescence. Plain water drives salts deeper; we dissolve the deposits with buffered acidic neutralizers.

Efflorescence occurs when groundwater or interior moisture travels through brick capillary channels, dissolving internal water-soluble salts like calcium sulfate and sodium carbonate. As the moisture evaporates at the brick face, crystalline mineral salts are left behind on the surface.

Blasting efflorescence with plain water simply dissolves the salt temporarily, washing it back into the masonry pores only to re-crystallize days later. Jake utilizes a targeted, buffered chemical solution specifically formulated to break down insoluble calcium efflorescence. The solution is brushed into the affected foundation or chimney brick, neutralized, and thoroughly flushed away with low-pressure fresh water.

We clean bluestone with low-pressure chemical soft-washing and flat-fan rinsing to protect polymeric joint binders.

Natural bluestone is a layered sedimentary sandstone with natural cleavage planes. High-pressure rotary heads or direct nozzle blasting will flake the stone layers and flush polymeric sand straight out of the joints, leaving paving stones loose and uneven.

We treat bluestone patios by applying an organic biocide under low pressure that breaks down green slime and settled pollen. We allow a full 15-minute dwell time, followed by a controlled 400 PSI rinse angled at 45 degrees across the stones. The natural violet, slate blue, and charcoal mineral shades are revealed without disturbing the polymeric sand joints or degrading the stone strata.

Masonry unit rates run from $0.14 to $0.22 per square foot based on elevation, mortar condition, and chemical chemistry requirements.

Unlike flat poured concrete that can be cleaned rapidly with a 20-inch rotary deck, brick and stone require manual chemical application, brushing on heavy lichen spots, and careful low-pressure rinsing. The specific rate is determined by these five verified variables:

No. If more than 10% of mortar joints are degraded, we require tuckpointing repairs before performing any chemical restoration.

Washing masonry with failing mortar allows water and active chemical solutions to penetrate behind the brick wythe. In winter, this trapped water expands through freeze-thaw cycles, pushing brick faces outward and causing catastrophic wall failure.

Jake conducts an upfront mortar hardness scratch test on every brick job in Holland, PA. If joints crumble under light probe pressure, we document the issue, refuse pressure treatment, and advise completing professional repointing first. Once cured, we return to clean the finished assembly safely.