Remove old paint to front façade brick work

[rashik1977]

Hello

I purchased a property 2 years ago which is going through renovation (windows being replaced etc). The previous owner painted red paint on the red brick and done a bad job of it. The red paint is not consistent and looks in a bad state. The owner also painted the mortar joints white and this is also inconsistent and needs work. All this work was done before the area was changed to a conservation area.

I cannot render over the brick work because of the conservation area rules. I am allowed to clean it but not sure what kind of treatment can be applied and potential damage\risk to windows and brick work.

I would appreciate if someone can;
1. provide me with options (maybe repainting is the best option)?
2. Risks\damage to brick and windows from treatment?
3. what to do about the white paint to render?
4. How much it would cost for each option?

Thanks
Dave

 

[dcdec]

Sounds horrible!

Depending on your level of patience its a bit of trial and error.

1. Chemical paint stripper
2. Take the head off a wall paper steamer and blast it to soften it and then pressure hose
3. There are specialist companies
4. and not sure about this one is needle gun, BUT it could damage your bricks, some will take it some wont.

As for prices, couldn't really say, and be warned the likes of nitomors aint much cop now, there is a post on peelaway around here somewhere which might be your best option.

 

[vv2806]

rashik1977, I've read somewhere about using caustic soda for paint stripping external masonry. They mixed it with something (for some reason flour comes to mind), spread the mixture on the walls and left it overnight (or 24 hours). Then removed it and the paint came off. I don't have the link but if you google the keywords might be able to find it.

The other way is to have it sandblasted. It might affect the surface of the bricks though and they might need to be sealed to prevent penetrating damp.

And at some point I considered trying a hot air gun, which works well for stripping paint from doors, etc., but then just painted the brickwork. In my house there are several brick courses at ground level, the walls above are rendered.