How to Clean a Stained Brick Fireplace

We have a lot of clients who ask us what to do about the black, soot-stained brick surface near their fireplace. If you have a masonry fireplace with a brick or stone face in your home, this blog is for you!

Black, stained brick is often seen above the opening of the fireplace. This staining is caused by smoke exiting the firebox, and flowing into the home. One reason this may occur is because the damper isn’t open when lighting a fire. Or, the smoke could draft inside because the fireplace might not be operating properly and does not have the ability to produce the proper flow to prevent the smoke from coming into the room. Contact Doctor Flue if you think your chimney is in need of repair.

When this smoke exits the firebox, the soot it carries can accumulate on the brick or stone surrounding your fireplace. This can cause the masonry materials to appear stained black. The good news is that this soot is removable, if you have the proper tools and expertise.

How to Remove the Black Stain

If you’re looking to take the DIY route, Doctor Flue offers a “soot eraser,” that you can simply rub over the stained brick and watch the discoloration fade away before your eyes.

Another effective way to remove the black stain from the brick is to use a 4 to 1 dilution of water in muriatic acid, or hydrochloric acid, which can be found at any home improvement store. Please read instructions while handling the acid.

However, the age and quantity or thickness of the stain has a lot to do with the selection of the material used in the attempt to remove the stain. To avoid damaging your brick fireplace, and to ensure the most effective cleaning methods, the staff here at Doctor Flue encourages you to consult with a professional cleaner, as they should be a good resource as to what could and should be used to treat the surface. A professional is also able to explain what results to expect along with the project proposal and often offer a guarantee. Otherwise, buying products online or from the store come with really no guarantees.

Contact Doctor Flue Today!

If you have stained brick or stone surrounding your masonry fireplace, contact Doctor Flue today for a professional chimney cleaning. Our experienced sweeps deal with soot-staining on a daily basis, and are able to accurately propose a solution and quickly and safely remove the stain. Set up your appointment today! Give us a call at 800-438-3583 or send us an email at office@drflue.com.

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