What is the black stain on my exterior brick, and how can I remove it?












2















The brick wall above my apartment is blackened, what is it and is it possible to clean it?



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    2















    The brick wall above my apartment is blackened, what is it and is it possible to clean it?



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      2












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      2








      The brick wall above my apartment is blackened, what is it and is it possible to clean it?



      enter image description here



      enter image description here










      share|improve this question
















      The brick wall above my apartment is blackened, what is it and is it possible to clean it?



      enter image description here



      enter image description here







      walls cleaning






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      edited Jan 21 at 13:59









      isherwood

      49.5k456126




      49.5k456126










      asked Jan 21 at 8:54









      Yu ZhangYu Zhang

      1355




      1355






















          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          5















          The brick wall above my apartment is blackened, what is it?




          It is caused by water leaking from that drainpipe. It is some form of mould that thrive in damp conditions.




          And is it possible to clean it?




          Yes, a stiff-bristled brush and hard effort will make a big difference.



          You can probably experiment with various chemicals, such as diluted bleach, to kill the mould.



          If you do not repair the drainpipe, the problem will return in some months time, perhaps after winter or seasonal rain.



          You can buy sealants that are intended for use on brick which prevent water penetration and which might help prevent this. They will alter the appearance of the brick though. This only works if the water is coming from the outside, not if the pipe with the leak is internal to the brickwork.






          share|improve this answer
























          • I've had great success using a chlorine-based (sodium hypochlorite 4.2%) anti-mould cleaner. Wear gloves and goggles, spray it on and let the chemicals do their work. No hard work required.

            – Sanchises
            Jan 21 at 10:28











          • +1 Used to work at a waterpark. Chlorine/bleach diluted with water works wonders on mould. Scrub with a stiff brush.

            – element11
            Jan 21 at 14:32



















          1














          It’s localized. That is to say, it’s only at the corner of the balcony and only extends down to the lower floor.



          Moisture is causing the problem, but it’s not clear where the moisture is entering the wall. It could be coming from: 1) bad mortar joints, 2) drainpipe, 3) cracked brick cap at balcony wall, 4) crack around pipe




          1. If you look closely at the mortar joints, you’ll see cracks and gaps in the mortar. I doubt this is the cause of the leak, because the entire balcony wall (and pillar below) has the same bad mortar.


          2. If the pipe is a drain line it could be leaking in the wall. However, it’s odd that it stops at the upper floor line, unless there is a concrete slab that extends out to the edge of the balcony, thus stopping the leak from extending down the wall (column).


          3. it seems more likely that the construction at the corner is different than the rest of the balcony wall. Perhaps the corner was constructed differently and now is cracking and allowing moisture to enter. I’d check the top balcony wall cap and see if cracks are occurring along that portion of the wall cap.


          4. I doubt if it’s JUST leaking around the pipe. Otherwise it wouldn’t be so uniform throughout the corner.



          The column and adjacent walls look like they could be “solid” brick construction and the area where the mold (discoloration) could be a veneer brick wall. If it’s veneer, water could easily get behind the moisture and be drawn out by high temperature (especially where you live) causing the black mold.



          I agree with another response, you must find where the moisture is entering and fix it or it will return in a short time (one rainy season).



          Adding water to clean the mold could cause additional water penetration into the wall. Fix and seal the wall before cleaning.






          share|improve this answer


























          • If you look at the "clean" wall below the blackened section in the second picture it looks like someone has blasted that bit with a powerwasher already to clean it.

            – Mauro
            Jan 21 at 14:19



















          0














          I would wear a mask and buy a cheap power washer.






          share|improve this answer
























          • I'm not sure I'd use a power washer on a building I didn't own. If something happened to the brick, the liability here might be rather large to repair it.

            – Machavity
            Jan 21 at 14:46











          • Power washer is not strong enough to damage the bricks. It looks like half the wall was already power washed

            – C Fella
            Jan 21 at 17:27











          • Depends on the condition of the wall. I've seen some walls I'd never power wash, lest you remove some of the wall. Again, there's liability to consider before you go this route

            – Machavity
            Jan 21 at 17:29











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          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes








          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes









          5















          The brick wall above my apartment is blackened, what is it?




          It is caused by water leaking from that drainpipe. It is some form of mould that thrive in damp conditions.




          And is it possible to clean it?




          Yes, a stiff-bristled brush and hard effort will make a big difference.



          You can probably experiment with various chemicals, such as diluted bleach, to kill the mould.



          If you do not repair the drainpipe, the problem will return in some months time, perhaps after winter or seasonal rain.



          You can buy sealants that are intended for use on brick which prevent water penetration and which might help prevent this. They will alter the appearance of the brick though. This only works if the water is coming from the outside, not if the pipe with the leak is internal to the brickwork.






          share|improve this answer
























          • I've had great success using a chlorine-based (sodium hypochlorite 4.2%) anti-mould cleaner. Wear gloves and goggles, spray it on and let the chemicals do their work. No hard work required.

            – Sanchises
            Jan 21 at 10:28











          • +1 Used to work at a waterpark. Chlorine/bleach diluted with water works wonders on mould. Scrub with a stiff brush.

            – element11
            Jan 21 at 14:32
















          5















          The brick wall above my apartment is blackened, what is it?




          It is caused by water leaking from that drainpipe. It is some form of mould that thrive in damp conditions.




          And is it possible to clean it?




          Yes, a stiff-bristled brush and hard effort will make a big difference.



          You can probably experiment with various chemicals, such as diluted bleach, to kill the mould.



          If you do not repair the drainpipe, the problem will return in some months time, perhaps after winter or seasonal rain.



          You can buy sealants that are intended for use on brick which prevent water penetration and which might help prevent this. They will alter the appearance of the brick though. This only works if the water is coming from the outside, not if the pipe with the leak is internal to the brickwork.






          share|improve this answer
























          • I've had great success using a chlorine-based (sodium hypochlorite 4.2%) anti-mould cleaner. Wear gloves and goggles, spray it on and let the chemicals do their work. No hard work required.

            – Sanchises
            Jan 21 at 10:28











          • +1 Used to work at a waterpark. Chlorine/bleach diluted with water works wonders on mould. Scrub with a stiff brush.

            – element11
            Jan 21 at 14:32














          5












          5








          5








          The brick wall above my apartment is blackened, what is it?




          It is caused by water leaking from that drainpipe. It is some form of mould that thrive in damp conditions.




          And is it possible to clean it?




          Yes, a stiff-bristled brush and hard effort will make a big difference.



          You can probably experiment with various chemicals, such as diluted bleach, to kill the mould.



          If you do not repair the drainpipe, the problem will return in some months time, perhaps after winter or seasonal rain.



          You can buy sealants that are intended for use on brick which prevent water penetration and which might help prevent this. They will alter the appearance of the brick though. This only works if the water is coming from the outside, not if the pipe with the leak is internal to the brickwork.






          share|improve this answer














          The brick wall above my apartment is blackened, what is it?




          It is caused by water leaking from that drainpipe. It is some form of mould that thrive in damp conditions.




          And is it possible to clean it?




          Yes, a stiff-bristled brush and hard effort will make a big difference.



          You can probably experiment with various chemicals, such as diluted bleach, to kill the mould.



          If you do not repair the drainpipe, the problem will return in some months time, perhaps after winter or seasonal rain.



          You can buy sealants that are intended for use on brick which prevent water penetration and which might help prevent this. They will alter the appearance of the brick though. This only works if the water is coming from the outside, not if the pipe with the leak is internal to the brickwork.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Jan 21 at 10:05









          RedGrittyBrickRedGrittyBrick

          21.7k83975




          21.7k83975













          • I've had great success using a chlorine-based (sodium hypochlorite 4.2%) anti-mould cleaner. Wear gloves and goggles, spray it on and let the chemicals do their work. No hard work required.

            – Sanchises
            Jan 21 at 10:28











          • +1 Used to work at a waterpark. Chlorine/bleach diluted with water works wonders on mould. Scrub with a stiff brush.

            – element11
            Jan 21 at 14:32



















          • I've had great success using a chlorine-based (sodium hypochlorite 4.2%) anti-mould cleaner. Wear gloves and goggles, spray it on and let the chemicals do their work. No hard work required.

            – Sanchises
            Jan 21 at 10:28











          • +1 Used to work at a waterpark. Chlorine/bleach diluted with water works wonders on mould. Scrub with a stiff brush.

            – element11
            Jan 21 at 14:32

















          I've had great success using a chlorine-based (sodium hypochlorite 4.2%) anti-mould cleaner. Wear gloves and goggles, spray it on and let the chemicals do their work. No hard work required.

          – Sanchises
          Jan 21 at 10:28





          I've had great success using a chlorine-based (sodium hypochlorite 4.2%) anti-mould cleaner. Wear gloves and goggles, spray it on and let the chemicals do their work. No hard work required.

          – Sanchises
          Jan 21 at 10:28













          +1 Used to work at a waterpark. Chlorine/bleach diluted with water works wonders on mould. Scrub with a stiff brush.

          – element11
          Jan 21 at 14:32





          +1 Used to work at a waterpark. Chlorine/bleach diluted with water works wonders on mould. Scrub with a stiff brush.

          – element11
          Jan 21 at 14:32













          1














          It’s localized. That is to say, it’s only at the corner of the balcony and only extends down to the lower floor.



          Moisture is causing the problem, but it’s not clear where the moisture is entering the wall. It could be coming from: 1) bad mortar joints, 2) drainpipe, 3) cracked brick cap at balcony wall, 4) crack around pipe




          1. If you look closely at the mortar joints, you’ll see cracks and gaps in the mortar. I doubt this is the cause of the leak, because the entire balcony wall (and pillar below) has the same bad mortar.


          2. If the pipe is a drain line it could be leaking in the wall. However, it’s odd that it stops at the upper floor line, unless there is a concrete slab that extends out to the edge of the balcony, thus stopping the leak from extending down the wall (column).


          3. it seems more likely that the construction at the corner is different than the rest of the balcony wall. Perhaps the corner was constructed differently and now is cracking and allowing moisture to enter. I’d check the top balcony wall cap and see if cracks are occurring along that portion of the wall cap.


          4. I doubt if it’s JUST leaking around the pipe. Otherwise it wouldn’t be so uniform throughout the corner.



          The column and adjacent walls look like they could be “solid” brick construction and the area where the mold (discoloration) could be a veneer brick wall. If it’s veneer, water could easily get behind the moisture and be drawn out by high temperature (especially where you live) causing the black mold.



          I agree with another response, you must find where the moisture is entering and fix it or it will return in a short time (one rainy season).



          Adding water to clean the mold could cause additional water penetration into the wall. Fix and seal the wall before cleaning.






          share|improve this answer


























          • If you look at the "clean" wall below the blackened section in the second picture it looks like someone has blasted that bit with a powerwasher already to clean it.

            – Mauro
            Jan 21 at 14:19
















          1














          It’s localized. That is to say, it’s only at the corner of the balcony and only extends down to the lower floor.



          Moisture is causing the problem, but it’s not clear where the moisture is entering the wall. It could be coming from: 1) bad mortar joints, 2) drainpipe, 3) cracked brick cap at balcony wall, 4) crack around pipe




          1. If you look closely at the mortar joints, you’ll see cracks and gaps in the mortar. I doubt this is the cause of the leak, because the entire balcony wall (and pillar below) has the same bad mortar.


          2. If the pipe is a drain line it could be leaking in the wall. However, it’s odd that it stops at the upper floor line, unless there is a concrete slab that extends out to the edge of the balcony, thus stopping the leak from extending down the wall (column).


          3. it seems more likely that the construction at the corner is different than the rest of the balcony wall. Perhaps the corner was constructed differently and now is cracking and allowing moisture to enter. I’d check the top balcony wall cap and see if cracks are occurring along that portion of the wall cap.


          4. I doubt if it’s JUST leaking around the pipe. Otherwise it wouldn’t be so uniform throughout the corner.



          The column and adjacent walls look like they could be “solid” brick construction and the area where the mold (discoloration) could be a veneer brick wall. If it’s veneer, water could easily get behind the moisture and be drawn out by high temperature (especially where you live) causing the black mold.



          I agree with another response, you must find where the moisture is entering and fix it or it will return in a short time (one rainy season).



          Adding water to clean the mold could cause additional water penetration into the wall. Fix and seal the wall before cleaning.






          share|improve this answer


























          • If you look at the "clean" wall below the blackened section in the second picture it looks like someone has blasted that bit with a powerwasher already to clean it.

            – Mauro
            Jan 21 at 14:19














          1












          1








          1







          It’s localized. That is to say, it’s only at the corner of the balcony and only extends down to the lower floor.



          Moisture is causing the problem, but it’s not clear where the moisture is entering the wall. It could be coming from: 1) bad mortar joints, 2) drainpipe, 3) cracked brick cap at balcony wall, 4) crack around pipe




          1. If you look closely at the mortar joints, you’ll see cracks and gaps in the mortar. I doubt this is the cause of the leak, because the entire balcony wall (and pillar below) has the same bad mortar.


          2. If the pipe is a drain line it could be leaking in the wall. However, it’s odd that it stops at the upper floor line, unless there is a concrete slab that extends out to the edge of the balcony, thus stopping the leak from extending down the wall (column).


          3. it seems more likely that the construction at the corner is different than the rest of the balcony wall. Perhaps the corner was constructed differently and now is cracking and allowing moisture to enter. I’d check the top balcony wall cap and see if cracks are occurring along that portion of the wall cap.


          4. I doubt if it’s JUST leaking around the pipe. Otherwise it wouldn’t be so uniform throughout the corner.



          The column and adjacent walls look like they could be “solid” brick construction and the area where the mold (discoloration) could be a veneer brick wall. If it’s veneer, water could easily get behind the moisture and be drawn out by high temperature (especially where you live) causing the black mold.



          I agree with another response, you must find where the moisture is entering and fix it or it will return in a short time (one rainy season).



          Adding water to clean the mold could cause additional water penetration into the wall. Fix and seal the wall before cleaning.






          share|improve this answer















          It’s localized. That is to say, it’s only at the corner of the balcony and only extends down to the lower floor.



          Moisture is causing the problem, but it’s not clear where the moisture is entering the wall. It could be coming from: 1) bad mortar joints, 2) drainpipe, 3) cracked brick cap at balcony wall, 4) crack around pipe




          1. If you look closely at the mortar joints, you’ll see cracks and gaps in the mortar. I doubt this is the cause of the leak, because the entire balcony wall (and pillar below) has the same bad mortar.


          2. If the pipe is a drain line it could be leaking in the wall. However, it’s odd that it stops at the upper floor line, unless there is a concrete slab that extends out to the edge of the balcony, thus stopping the leak from extending down the wall (column).


          3. it seems more likely that the construction at the corner is different than the rest of the balcony wall. Perhaps the corner was constructed differently and now is cracking and allowing moisture to enter. I’d check the top balcony wall cap and see if cracks are occurring along that portion of the wall cap.


          4. I doubt if it’s JUST leaking around the pipe. Otherwise it wouldn’t be so uniform throughout the corner.



          The column and adjacent walls look like they could be “solid” brick construction and the area where the mold (discoloration) could be a veneer brick wall. If it’s veneer, water could easily get behind the moisture and be drawn out by high temperature (especially where you live) causing the black mold.



          I agree with another response, you must find where the moisture is entering and fix it or it will return in a short time (one rainy season).



          Adding water to clean the mold could cause additional water penetration into the wall. Fix and seal the wall before cleaning.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Jan 21 at 13:25









          Machavity

          7,62811838




          7,62811838










          answered Jan 21 at 11:39









          Lee SamLee Sam

          10.5k3718




          10.5k3718













          • If you look at the "clean" wall below the blackened section in the second picture it looks like someone has blasted that bit with a powerwasher already to clean it.

            – Mauro
            Jan 21 at 14:19



















          • If you look at the "clean" wall below the blackened section in the second picture it looks like someone has blasted that bit with a powerwasher already to clean it.

            – Mauro
            Jan 21 at 14:19

















          If you look at the "clean" wall below the blackened section in the second picture it looks like someone has blasted that bit with a powerwasher already to clean it.

          – Mauro
          Jan 21 at 14:19





          If you look at the "clean" wall below the blackened section in the second picture it looks like someone has blasted that bit with a powerwasher already to clean it.

          – Mauro
          Jan 21 at 14:19











          0














          I would wear a mask and buy a cheap power washer.






          share|improve this answer
























          • I'm not sure I'd use a power washer on a building I didn't own. If something happened to the brick, the liability here might be rather large to repair it.

            – Machavity
            Jan 21 at 14:46











          • Power washer is not strong enough to damage the bricks. It looks like half the wall was already power washed

            – C Fella
            Jan 21 at 17:27











          • Depends on the condition of the wall. I've seen some walls I'd never power wash, lest you remove some of the wall. Again, there's liability to consider before you go this route

            – Machavity
            Jan 21 at 17:29
















          0














          I would wear a mask and buy a cheap power washer.






          share|improve this answer
























          • I'm not sure I'd use a power washer on a building I didn't own. If something happened to the brick, the liability here might be rather large to repair it.

            – Machavity
            Jan 21 at 14:46











          • Power washer is not strong enough to damage the bricks. It looks like half the wall was already power washed

            – C Fella
            Jan 21 at 17:27











          • Depends on the condition of the wall. I've seen some walls I'd never power wash, lest you remove some of the wall. Again, there's liability to consider before you go this route

            – Machavity
            Jan 21 at 17:29














          0












          0








          0







          I would wear a mask and buy a cheap power washer.






          share|improve this answer













          I would wear a mask and buy a cheap power washer.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered Jan 21 at 10:14









          C FellaC Fella

          12717




          12717













          • I'm not sure I'd use a power washer on a building I didn't own. If something happened to the brick, the liability here might be rather large to repair it.

            – Machavity
            Jan 21 at 14:46











          • Power washer is not strong enough to damage the bricks. It looks like half the wall was already power washed

            – C Fella
            Jan 21 at 17:27











          • Depends on the condition of the wall. I've seen some walls I'd never power wash, lest you remove some of the wall. Again, there's liability to consider before you go this route

            – Machavity
            Jan 21 at 17:29



















          • I'm not sure I'd use a power washer on a building I didn't own. If something happened to the brick, the liability here might be rather large to repair it.

            – Machavity
            Jan 21 at 14:46











          • Power washer is not strong enough to damage the bricks. It looks like half the wall was already power washed

            – C Fella
            Jan 21 at 17:27











          • Depends on the condition of the wall. I've seen some walls I'd never power wash, lest you remove some of the wall. Again, there's liability to consider before you go this route

            – Machavity
            Jan 21 at 17:29

















          I'm not sure I'd use a power washer on a building I didn't own. If something happened to the brick, the liability here might be rather large to repair it.

          – Machavity
          Jan 21 at 14:46





          I'm not sure I'd use a power washer on a building I didn't own. If something happened to the brick, the liability here might be rather large to repair it.

          – Machavity
          Jan 21 at 14:46













          Power washer is not strong enough to damage the bricks. It looks like half the wall was already power washed

          – C Fella
          Jan 21 at 17:27





          Power washer is not strong enough to damage the bricks. It looks like half the wall was already power washed

          – C Fella
          Jan 21 at 17:27













          Depends on the condition of the wall. I've seen some walls I'd never power wash, lest you remove some of the wall. Again, there's liability to consider before you go this route

          – Machavity
          Jan 21 at 17:29





          Depends on the condition of the wall. I've seen some walls I'd never power wash, lest you remove some of the wall. Again, there's liability to consider before you go this route

          – Machavity
          Jan 21 at 17:29


















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