How to Remove Aluminum Siding Oxidation From Brick
Combining brick and siding on a home’s exterior looks nice but can cause a few extra maintenance chores for the homeowner. The white chalky film that sits on your brick, right next to the aluminum siding is oxidation.
Aluminum siding, when exposed to air, will oxidize and form a white powder-like substance on the surface of the siding. This oxidation is often transferred to the brick that surrounds the siding. Remove this oxidation with the proper chemicals and some hard work and your brick will look as good as new.
Things You Will Need
- Garden hose
- Bleach
- Water
- Bucket
- Scrub brush
- Rubber gloves
- Oxalic acid
Tip
If you don’t like the idea of using harsh chemicals, manual removal methods may also work. Sand the brick with an orbital sander. Choose a coarse grit sanding pad. Wear safety goggles while polishing brick.
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Rinse the stained area with a hose to remove large pieces of dirt and debris.
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Mix one part bleach with one part water. Dip a sponge into the solution and apply it to the stain. Let the bleach and water sit on the stain for 15 minutes.
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Scrub the stained area thoroughly. Choose a synthetic bristled brush. Steel or metal brushes will damage the brick. You can remove most of the oxidation with heavy pressure and scrubbing. If the oxidation is not completely removed, continue to Step 4.
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Put on rubber gloves. Mix 1 lb. oxalic acid with 1 gallon of water. Put a small amount of the solution on a brick to test the effects. Let the solution sit for 15 minutes. Remove with clean water. If the brick is not stained or damaged, proceed to Step 5.
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Apply the oxalic acid solution to all of the oxidation. Let the solution sit on the brick for 5 minutes. Rinse with a garden hose to remove all chemicals.
The Drip Cap
- Combining brick and siding on a home’s exterior looks nice but can cause a few extra maintenance chores for the homeowner.
- Scrub the stained area thoroughly.
- If the oxidation is not completely removed, continue to Step 4.
- Let the solution sit for 15 minutes.
Writer Bio
Lisa East Hunter is a consultant and freelance writer in Phoenix. Her background in marketing and technology led her to explore all avenues of writing. She is currently dividing her time between freelance writing and her consulting business. Hunter has a Bachelor of Science in management information systems and marketing.
Photo Credits
- Brick image by Luke Haverkamp from Fotolia.com
- Brick image by Luke Haverkamp from Fotolia.com
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