If sprinklers or garden watering has splashed hard water spots on your home's brick exterior, buy an acid-based brick cleaner from a masonry dealer. Follow the label directions. Generally, these instruct you to cover plantings with plastic sheeting and, wearing rubber gloves and plastic glasses, wet down brick, apply a mixture of the cleaner and water with a stiff-bristled nylon brush on an extension handle, and rinse. Seal the brick to protect it; use a silane- or siloxane-based sealer (also purchased from a masonry dealer).

Also see the FREE HomeTips report on Solving Hard Water Problems.