Glazed brick

[suemac]

Hi, I would like some advice on a matter concerning a new property I am about to purchase, if anyone can help?

The property has a terrace off the ground floor bedroom, which is enclosed by 3 brick walls. The top half of the walls are red brick, with the bottom half being white glazed brick. As an old property (ex-industry), the walls need some attention! The developers want to cover the walls with some type of wood fencing, but I would prefer to preserve the brick if possible.

Could anyone inform me as to whether it is possible to remove the glaze from the bricks, or suggest any other alternative way of preserving my brick wall?

Thank you.

 

[Moo]

I'd hang on to the glazed bricks - they sound really interesting. Anyway, I doubt whether you could remove just the glaze; it would most likely mean removing the bricks themselves (have you ever tried to remove the glaze from a plate?)

Any chance of a picture?

 

[Penners]

I agree with Moo.

 

[NT]

Could anyone inform me as to whether it is possible to remove the glaze from the bricks, or suggest any other alternative way of preserving my brick wall?

You havent told us what the problem with this wall is.

Re removing the glaze, sure, a big angle grinder with grinding disc would rip it all off, but wrecking the wall like that would not be a sane thing to do imho.


NT

 

[suemac]

Thanks for replies.

The problem with the wall is that many of the glazed bricks are cracked or have chunks of the actual glaze broken off/chipped. Also, much of the brickwork needs repointing, which in itself is not a problem, but given the state of the glazed bricks, I think the quickest/simplest/cheapest option for the developers is to cover it all up, and walk away. If I could suggest a reasonable alternative, I hope they would agree to it instead...

No photograph available as yet, but will try to get one this weekend.

 

[Nemesis]

Removing the glaze would expose the softer undersurface of the brick. That would leave them vulnerable to frost damage.

Paint tends not to stick too well either.

Maybe consider pointing and then putting trellis over the glazed section?

 

[NT]

All I can suggest is painting any non-white missing bits white to reduce the visual impact, repointing and trellising as Nemesis said. You may have to argue with the developers, since covering it up and running is quicker/cheaper.

A very important point with paint patching is to use paint either identical to or a fraction duller than the workpiece. Its easy to put a bit on and say, well, its very close, thats fine, yet the thing looks awful when done because the new paint is just a fraction brighter. Similarly, never overlap the edges of holes with paint. These are the 2 cast iron musts that determine success or failure of paint patching.


NT