1908 Cardiff Edwardian Semi; Exterior Brickwork Q

[Cardiffbloke]

Hi everyone, from floors to walls..... Ok, how does one improve the look of the exterior brickwork. They are the typical dark red almost glazed engineering bricks so typical of the day. however, they are badly stained with cement/mortar from the last pointing attempt. full of holes complete with plastic rawlplugs from hanging baskets and other paraphanalia. stained black in some places by the bad environment and generally look like crap! any ideas?

 

[NT]

Plugs can be usually pulled out by screwing a self tap screw in _very_ shallowly and pulling. In time the raw red surface dirties and darkens and blends in.

NT

 

[Cardiffbloke]

Ok, got that one, but what about the general discouleration of the bricks, some of then are almost black with years of crap.... i have tried patio acid and that removes the cement mortar fine but not the black acidy rainy exhaust fumey seagull crappy what ever it is!

 

[dusty]

option 1: call a professional
option2: Pre-wet
Tensid 766 Pre-Wash
Wait 10-20 Mins- Agitate, with stainless steel brush.
Re-Apply 766
Wait, dont let it dry out.
Scrub
HOT pressure wash off
Repeat if needed
When
Neutralise with Limestone Afterwash, whilst still damp.
P.S. When you get it on you it will burn, apply white vinegarto ease then pain!!

 

[Lime]

Yes, I know what you mean by that

black acidy rainy exhaust fumey seagull crappy

stuff.
If there was a paint made with such retention, I'd buy it.

As the house bricks are quite hard, is sandblasting likely to be effective?

I've never tried it.

 

[Nemesis]

Sandblasting is not recommended. It can cause lasting damage.


http://www.bricksandbrass.co.uk/diyelem/extwalls/bricks/bricks.htm

 

[Lime]

Sandblasting is not recommended. It can cause lasting damage.


http://www.bricksandbrass.co.uk/diyelem/extwalls/bricks/bricks.htm

For most bricks I would quite agree but these bricks are "the typical dark red almost glazed engineering bricks" which are hard.

 

[Nemesis]

I would not recommend sandblasting full stop.

It can cause lasting damage.

Listed or not - better to gently clean, not attempt to remove all signs of age - and in all probability part of the surface and pointing mortar too.

http://www.iow.gov.uk/living_here/planning/images/2CON3-BRICKWORKSTONEWORKONLISTEDBUILDINGS.pdf

 

[Cardiffbloke]

Thanks guys, i will try the acid/scrubbing technique. No way would i have sand-blasted and anyway, there should be some sort of residual colouration as the house is 100 years old and not one of George Wimpy's finest!

 

[Nemesis]

Exactly! Remove as much of the muck as you can with elbow grease, a large scrubbing brush and water would be the best start I think.