Painting over exterior brickwork is a great way to improve its appearance and preserve the bricks beneath. Countless homeowners have done this over the decades to improve the appearance of their properties.
However, it's not always the best course of action! Painted brick requires regular maintenance, touch-ups and cleaning if it's to stay looking fresh. Ideally, it needs repainting every five years or so, or it begins to look tired and can begin to flake.
Also, the wrong type of masonry paint is frequently applied; brick surfaces are porous, and some paints clog up the pores, leading to moisture being trapped within the brickwork. This eventually causes penetrating damp, mould and algae growth and water damage, particularly on older buildings and period properties.
Spalling is another issue. This happens when the water inside the brick expands as it freezes, forcing pieces of brick to break off.
Also, many homeowners prefer the look of old brickwork, particularly when the paint is peeling and cracked. Flaking paint looks unsightly and can adversely affect the value of your home as well as its aesthetic appeal.
So, what do you do if you need paint removed from your brickwork? You could ask the experts! The RenWash team is experienced in all aspects of brick paint removal. If you need help with removing paint from brick walls, we are the people to call.
If you're interested in what methods can be used, here's some more information that you'll find helpful.
Although it sounds fairly straightforward, paint removal requires skillful handling if it's to be undertaken properly. It isn't a case of coating the wall in powerful chemicals and hoping for the best, scrubbing away with warm water and a wire brush, or even blasting it with a pressure washer!
Unless you take the right approach, you risk severely damaging the underlying brick. And some of the methods require patience, dedication and the use of powerful chemicals. That's why thousands of homeowners use companies like RenWash to get the job done.
Most professional brick, masonry and render cleaning companies will be familiar with the following processes, although some are more likely to be used by specialists who restore period/heritage properties and listed buildings.
Paint stripper (or paint remover) is very effective at removing paint from bricks when used correctly. Gel or paste paint strippers are frequently used indoors on smaller areas, although they do have their uses on external walls, usually to tackle spots that other methods haven't resolved.
The paint stripper is applied with a brush or spatula, according to the manufacturer's instructions. It is left in place until a chemical reaction takes place that lifts the paint away from the surface. The key is to leave enough time for the chemical reaction to fully take hold, allowing you to scrape, peel or wash away the residue.
Some paint stripper brands come with fabric strips or plastic sheeting that are applied to the top of the gel. The final step of the process includes peeling off the strips, which will bring away the old paint.
It is absolutely vital that protective gear is worn during this procedure, as these products can cause severe chemical burns. It is also important that any areas that you don't want to be affected, like window frames, are covered with painter's tape.
All RenWash staff are trained in the use of these materials and are familiar with regulations regarding the use of PPE when applying them.
Pressure or power washing is another quick method of removing paint from brick. Once again, it is probably too drastic for use on very old walls with soft bricks, particularly when on a high-pressure setting.
Needless to say, using a power washer indoors is never a good idea!
Pressure washing is often used to remove paint strippers quickly and efficiently, but can be a good method of paint removal in its own right, depending on the nature of the paint and how many layers are involved.
The trick is to never hold the nozzle too close to the wall surface, and to use a fan setting rather than a jet nozzle. Ideally, the pressure should be set to 'low' or you risk dislodging mortar and damaging the bricks.
The brilliant and unique system is similar to pressure washing, but it relies on superheated water to do the job.
As the water leaves the nozzle (about 5 litres every minute) it turns to steam that penetrates the surface. It is powerful yet gentle enough to be used on older brickwork, even if it is damaged! There are no harsh chemicals involved and no risk of thermal shock. This makes it the ideal brick paint removal method in many cases.
The walls are not saturated as the steam and hot water evaporate pretty quickly as they are heated to around 150º c.
DOFF/Thermatech cleaning will handle most types of paint and does a fantastic job every time. What's more, the steam kills mould spores and organic growth. So, if you have a mould, mildew or algae problem on your walls, the DOFF cleaning machine will resolve this as well as remove the paint.
The steam effectively sterilises the wall surface, meaning that organic growth and bacteria are not likely to return for quite a while.
Finally, this method is the most eco-friendly, making it a very attractive option for many of our customers. The machine is virtually silent, too, meaning that there is less disruption to our clients.
While it is similar to the DOFF machine (and invented by the same company), a TORC cleaning system uses a mixture of fine calcium carbonate and water that's pushed out under high pressure. The nozzle produces a swirling vortex motion that cleans the surface gently but effectively.
Both the DOFF and TORC machines were developed specifically to clean stonework, but can be adjusted to be highly effective in cleaning bricks, including paint removal.
TORC is also eco-friendly and doesn't leave dust and residue on site, as is the case with sandblasting.
These machines are both preferred by organisations like English Heritage and the National Trust for cleaning and restoration of heritage buildings as they produce excellent results without damaging the stone or brickwork.
This is a quick, thorough method, although it can be a messy process. For this reason, it is usually reserved for external walls and large-scale projects. It is also an aggressive form of paint removal, so it is not suitable for older bricks because of the potential damage it may cause.
Even with modern bricks, there's a chance that this method will cut through the paint and remove the outer layer of the brick surface. It takes great skill and a lot of experience to use these machines properly and without causing damage.
Note: although it is still referred to as sandblasting, this practice was made illegal in the UK in 1999 due to the high risk of silicosis. Instead, ceramic or metallic 'grit' is used, which is why it is also known as grit blasting.
As usual, the internet is packed with 'helpful' tips on removing paint from brick surfaces. And, as usual, much of this advice should be treated with caution.
You may visit websites that recommend using a wire brush, or even a brush attachment on your drill. Some also suggest using coarse grit sandpaper to remove paint.
While these methods may have a place at some stage, when used with extreme caution, each of them risks causing irreparable damage to the surface.
Some websites suggest using a combination of household items, like white vinegar and lemon juice. However, these are highly unlikely to shift layers of paint!
To get the job done quickly, efficiently and properly, you need a professional team, like RenWash.
Once the paint has been removed, your walls should look great. However, in many cases, the paint has been applied over the top of pollution staining - which may have been the reason why it was painted in the first place! This black, sooty deposit often remains, even after the paint has gone and will spoil the look of your walls as much as flaking paint.
In these cases, we highly recommend that you consider chemical brick cleaning. This process removes all of the black stains, leaving the exposed brick looking fantastic.
The simple truth is that most bricks were never designed to be painted!
Bricks are porous, allowing them to breathe and expel moisture. The porous surface lets paint soak into the surface making it very difficult to shift once it has dried. Also, most masonry paint is designed to withstand the elements, making it more of a challenge to remove. And this is especially the case when it is applied to brickwork!
While the majority of masonry paint manufacturers these days make water-based products, some paints are acrylic or oil-based, which compounds the problems further. It may be possible to scrub off water-based paint to some extent, but these other types will always prove more difficult and require special treatment.
The experts at RenWash are experienced in dealing with all types of wall coatings and will know precisely which methods to apply to remove all the paint successfully.
When you contact us we will arrange for a consultation to discuss and evaluate exactly what work is needed. We will also need to agree on a small area for testing so that we can correctly identify the paint type, how many layers there are, and (depending on the age of the property) whether any lead paint is present.
We will assess the state of the brickwork, check the results from the test area and make a judgement on which method to use.
When the team arrives on site at the scheduled appointment time, their first job will be to erect the scaffolding, if required. This will be done sensitively and with care to minimise any disruption or damage. They will check the areas for hazards and ensure that safety protocols are followed throughout their visit.
Drop cloths will be laid around the entire area and taped to the base of the wall to catch paint residue as the cleaning process goes ahead. Any tools and equipment will be set up in readiness to begin work.
The chosen method is employed to remove paint from the brick walls on your property. The work is carried out efficiently and professionally to limit the impact on your daily schedule.
The wall surface is checked over to ensure that all of the paint has been successfully removed. All equipment and tools are removed, the drop cloth is lifted and the site is tidied completely.
At RenWash, it is our aim to provide an efficient service with minimal fuss. We aim to complete small projects within a day or two, but the amount of time we spend on site depends on several factors, including:
All of these will affect the length of the project in some way.
For example, if there is only a narrow strip of painted brickwork around the base of the property, as was once the trend, this will be significantly quicker to remove than treating an entire wall. In many cases, only the front wall of the property has been painted, which makes things easier.
Also, using a DOFF machine is a much quicker process than applying paint stripper that will have to be peeled or washed off later. Once we know precisely how large the area is and which method is best, we can provide a more specific timetable.
The weather, as we all know, can be very unpredictable. Many of the methods we use cannot proceed in adverse weather conditions and jobs may have to be postponed. While this is regrettable and may cause inconvenience, it's part of our commitment to our customers to produce the best results. Starting or continuing a process during bad weather may seriously affect the end results, and that isn't something that our team is prepared to risk - for your sake.
There is also the issue of safety when working at height. It may be necessary to halt or postpone work temporarily in high winds to avoid the risk of harm to our staff.
The average cost of this service across the UK is around £50 per square metre, although this can be influenced by many factors, as with the previous section regarding the timescale.
We may need to consider the use of MEWPS (Mobile Elevated Working Platforms) or scaffolding to reach the upper levels of your house safely. Scaffolding costs approximately £300 per week to hire, and this may have to be included in the final price.
After the initial consultation we will be better placed to provide an accurate estimate, but as a ballpark figure, it's recommended that you budget for around £1,000 for a paint removal project.
Unfortunately, this form of vandalism is common in some areas of the UK. The good news is that we can use our expertise to remove it successfully, leaving your walls in pristine condition.
While it is possible in some cases for you to remove it yourself, it depends on the type of paint used as some can be tricky to deal with. Also, if it has been left in place for a long time it can prove extremely stubborn.
Our experts can test the paint to determine the best method of graffiti removal and then set about ridding your walls of the offending matter.
Due to the risks involved, it is highly recommended that you hire a professional paint removal team to do this job, particularly if it involves old brick.
It all depends on the age and state of the underlying brick. Multiple layers of paint often hide damaged brick and masonry, and older bricks are sometimes in very poor condition. If you use a method that's too harsh, you risk damaging the surface even more.
There's also the issue of lead paint to consider. Lead-based paint is potentially hazardous and requires specialist techniques for removal. Doing this yourself will expose you and your family to considerable health risks, especially for pregnant women and young children.
The effects of inhaling lead dust include anaemia, kidney damage, brain damage and general weakness. The lead can pass through the placental barrier and damage a developing baby's nervous system.
Please seek professional advice if you suspect that you have lead paint that needs removing!
A professionally painted brick wall can look amazing - if the correct paint is used and the wall is maintained properly. Even so, there's a strong argument in favour of removing paint from your brickwork, including the following:
This is especially the case with well-built period properties when walls were built with more care and less speed. Many of these older properties have patterned or coloured brickwork, and architectural details that are sadly obscured.
It's very satisfying to strip away the years of paint and reveal these again.
The bricks and mortar are able to breathe naturally, as they were designed to. Moisture is allowed to escape and evaporate and doesn't accumulate within the brick matrix.
Houses that go through this process often find that mould and mildew are no longer an issue or that the problem is significantly reduced.
Spalling bricks and crumbling mortar are less of a problem as moisture can escape freely. Replacing broken bricks and failed mortar can be costly, so paint removal is a good investment as it minimises the risk of long-term damage.
The results of removing paint from a brick surface are amazing. Clients are frequently astonished when they see the bricks in their original condition after the RenWash team has finished!
The effect is enough to dramatically improve kerb appeal and allow you to put a higher asking price on your home if you are selling.
After being covered for many years, exposed brick can be vulnerable to the elements. When the paint has been removed from a brick wall, it looks like a new house. However, pollution, dust and the weather can soon attack that beautiful clean surface and make it look grubby.
To keep it looking fresh and protect it from damage, it's wise to consider applying a surface treatment. These products are invisible, eco-friendly and non-toxic. The coating is absorbed into the brickwork where it protects the wall while still allowing moisture to escape.
It's a foolproof way of keeping your walls looking better for longer! Call our team today if you would like to know more.
While the majority of our paint removal work takes place outside the property, there are instances where we are prepared to remove paint from brick walls inside a house.
Essentially, the same principles apply, whether it's for a brick fireplace or painted brick walls anywhere inside your home. We would need to test the paint before any work was carried out.
The main difference would be that extra care would be needed when it comes to protecting your carpets, furniture and household possessions. As mentioned above, some of the methods would not be suitable for use indoors as they would cause a lot of mess and disruption.
Our skilled team is proficient in dealing with all aspects of removing paint from brick surfaces and will apply effective methods to restore your walls to their original look.
Contact us now to arrange your initial consultation and free quote. We will also provide any relevant information regarding our free paint test and answer any queries you may have about the process.
RenWash is committed to offering a superior service that will transform your old painted walls to look fresh, vibrant and appealing. You'll also prolong the life of your exterior walls, reduce the risk of mould and damp problems inside and out, get rid of moss, algae and mould on the outside walls, and potentially increase the value of your home.
All in all, this is a real investment opportunity.
And you can begin the process by calling us today!
No, neither the paint removal process nor the environment are harmed. We remove paint with specialised equipment and techniques, taking care not to damage the brick underneath.
Yes, we can remove paint from all types of brick, though the process varies depending on the brick type and the condition of the paint.
No, the paint removal process will not harm the mortar that holds the bricks together. During the paint removal process, we take great care to preserve the integrity of the brick and mortar.
Yes, if necessary, we also provide repointing and brick repair services. If the paint removal process causes any damage, we will repair it before completing the job.
