Remove Paint from Brick

Brick houses as well as fireplaces are quite popular, as it gives an authentic touch to the house. However, there are many people who prefer to paint their brick houses or fireplaces in different colors to hide the poor quality bricks and conceal the repairs done on them. Also, there are people who paint their fireplace or brick house to give it a different look, but later realize that the color actually does not suit their house. But is it possible to actually remove traces of paint from bricks? The answer to this question is actually yes. However, most of the techniques are time-consuming and there is also a risk of causing damage due to its use, if the bricks are very old. Nevertheless, let us take a look at some of the effective methods that one can use for removing paint from brick fireplace and brick house.

Ways of Removing Paint from Brick
As I said earlier, there are actually several methods that are used for removing paint from brick house and brick fireplace. However, the problem with them is that they can either cause damage to the bricks or can cause health hazards to people living in the house. Hence, it is important to know well about each method, before choosing the method which is convenient as well as effective. Here are some of the ways that can help in removing paint from bricks.

Sandblasting and Power Washing
Sandblasting and power washing are two of the methods that can help in removing paint from bricks. However, both these methods have the ability to damage the bricks very badly. This is because one has to apply a lot of force while using these methods. In case of sandblasting, the paint undergoes vigorous grinding, while in case of power washing which is also known as pressure washing, water is used to remove the paint. These methods not only have the ability of damaging old bricks, but can also damage those that are new. With sandblasting, the protective outer layer of the bricks get eroded, making the bricks weak. On the other hand, with power washing, the color of the bricks are likely to change and make the bricks fragile. Also, moisture may ooze into the bricks due to the appearance of tiny cracks, thus, weakening the structure.

Lye
Another commonly used paint remover is lye. However, lye is extremely hazardous because it is an acid which is toxic as well as explosive. Nevertheless, if you still want to make use of lye to remove the paint from brick, you have to take certain important precautions. One of the most important thing that you have to remember is that while mixing lye in water, you should always put the lye into the water and never pour water over the lye. This is because, the later can cause the lye to explode. Also, while handling lye, one should wear full sleeved clothes, gloves and should also make use of a mask too. If your skin comes in contact with the lye, make sure you get immediate first aid and later, visit a health practitioner for further treatment.

Paint Removal Solution
Another method of removing paint from brick is with the use of pain removal solutions. This is actually the best and the easiest way of removing paint from the bricks. The paint removing solution is found in both gel as well as paste form and you can use any one of them according to your convenience. However, before you use this solution, it is important to do a patch test on a small part of the brick house or fireplace.

First, you will have to make the solution by mixing various ingredients as mentioned in the label. Once this is done, apply the solution to your bricks generously. Then, take strips of fabric and place it on the brick which is coated with the gel or paste. When the paste begins to soften, the paint will start sticking to the fabric that is placed on it. Allow the fabric to remain on the wall for the time mentioned in the package and then, gently peel the fabric from the brick. If you do not find any problem with the brick after using this solution, you can repeat the same procedure to the entire area. Nevertheless, it is possible for some of the paint to remove on the bricks even after removing it with this solution. In such a case, you can take off the paint by gently scrubbing the area with a stiff bristle brush to avoid damaging it in anyway.

I hope this article has proved to be informative. Whatever be your reason for getting rid of the paint from the bricks, make sure that you choose the method which is not only effective, but also the safest.