Brick Wall: Remove plaster from bricks

If plaster is to be removed from bricks, you have two different procedures to choose from: manually or by machine. Below is a professional guide for plaster removal on brick walls.

Utensils needed

The be-all and end-all for removing plaster from a brick wall is the right tools and protective clothing:

• hammer and chisel
• Mechanical alternatives: plaster cutter, rotary hammer or concrete grinder
• For roller or decorative plaster grinding machine
• A fine and a coarse wire brush
• foil
• If necessary masking tape
• safety goggles
• Dust mask for mouth and nose
• working gloves
• Hearing protection when using noisy devices

Preparation

Before you get to work, you should consider that there will be a lot of dust and dirt. A certain preparation is therefore recommended. Here's how you should do it:

• Remove furniture, flowers and other movable objects from the room or move them far enough away outdoors
• Seal room passages with foil (also doors because of fine dust)
• Cover non-removable objects and plants with foil

loosen plaster

You can choose between machine removal and manual work. While electrical equipment can save a lot of time and effort, it takes practice and extra care Procedure because improper guidance/operation can cause the device to "get out of control" and cause damage to the bricks can cause. In addition, some people feel safer with a classic hammer and chisel because there is a better, more intensive one here There is a feeling for the appropriate intensity - especially if you are new to using hand tools.

Instructions: Hammer and chisel

A hammer and chisel are usually sufficient for removing loose plaster and/or smaller areas. When using it on larger areas, you should expect a lot of effort and time. Plaster that is stuck to the wall in particular requires a lot of effort and patience.

How to properly use a hammer and chisel:

• Always work from the center of the surface towards the corners
• Position the chisel as parallel to the brick wall as possible
• Start with light hammer blows and slowly increase if necessary (serves to find out how easily or with difficulty plaster comes off)
• If the plaster has come loose, place the chisel at an angle under the remaining plaster edges and continue hammering (edges usually come off more easily)
• After removing plaster, brush off large residual particles with a coarse wire brush
• Rework with a fine wire brush (prevents lumps forming with new plaster)

Instructions: mechanical plaster removal

Three different devices with motors can remove plaster from bricks. There are small differences, mainly related to how the plaster is removed.

rotary hammer

A hammer drill is the mechanical answer to the classic hammer-chisel combination, which is reflected here in one device. You work with a wide chisel, which should have a width of 40 to 80 millimeters. It should be noted here that the device is extremely powerful compared to the manual version. Therefore, you should work at a well-measured speed. The procedure is identical to that described under "Instructions: Hammer and chisel".

concrete grinder

A concrete grinder is used to remove plaster from the surface down to the bricks. While this is the dustiest thing, it's also the safest if you don't want to damage the brick. When working with a concrete grinder, the following should be considered:

• For thick layers of plaster, start with 80 or 120 grit
• Use fine 40 or 60 grit near the bricks
• Rule of thumb for consumption: one grinding wheel per square meter
• Reduce the grinding speed towards the brick to avoid accidentally grinding stones
• Remove plaster residues with a coarse and fine wire brush

Plaster and renovation milling machine

With a plaster and renovation milling machine, small milling wheels are driven over the plaster. In this way, the plaster on the brick wall is perforated and thus loosened. Plaster removal is faster with the plaster and renovation milling machine than with the concrete grinder. The following is what to look out for and how to proceed:

• Pay attention to the milling depth: if the plaster thickness is unknown, start with a shallow depth to protect the bricks
• The substrate must be absolutely dry
• Start from a corner
• Chess pattern guide: first from top to bottom - then across from one side to the other
• Remove residual particles either with sandpaper or wire brush
• Finish with a fine wire brush to remove the smallest residue of plaster

Remove decorative plaster and rolled plaster

A special feature is decorative plaster and rolled plaster, which consist of a mix of mineral plaster and synthetic resin. The latter is much more difficult to remove than normal wall plaster. This cannot be countered with a hammer and chisel. Depending on the proportion of synthetic resin, there are only two methods of removal:

Low proportion of synthetic resin

• Wet the plaster generously and let it soak
• Apply a spatula or metal scraper at an angle to the wall and push the tool vigorously
• Work from the center of the area in all directions
• If plaster has dried, moisten again and allow to soak in
• Remove the last thin residue with sandpaper

grinding machine

• Suitable for low and above all high proportion of synthetic resin
• Plaster is sanded off while wet, so moisten the surface beforehand and let it soak briefly
• Grain: depending on the thickness of the plaster between 40 and 120
• Work from the center of the area in all directions
• If plaster has dried, moisten again and allow to soak in

After plaster removal

The dust also remains on the brick wall exposed by the plaster. Regardless of whether it is to remain natural or be re-plastered, the dust has to go. The best way to do this on a house facade is to hose it down with a water hose. Indoors, this would flood entire rooms. Here it is advisable to wipe the unplastered wall with a damp sponge. You should refrain from using a high-pressure cleaner, because the massive pressure could damage the bricks and especially the joints.

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