If you want plaster to give way to bricks, you can choose between two different approaches: manual or machine. Below is a professional guide to removing plaster from brick walls.
Required utensils
The right tools and protective clothing are essential for removing plaster from a brick wall:
- hammer and chisel
- Mechanical alternatives: plaster cutter, hammer drill or concrete grinder
- For roll or decorative plaster grinding machine
- One fine and one coarse wire brush
- foil
- If necessary, masking tape
- safety goggles
- Dust mask for mouth and nose
- working gloves
- Hearing protection when using loud devices
preparation
Before starting work, you should consider that there will be a lot of dust and dirt. A certain preparation is therefore recommended. This is how you should proceed:
- Remove furniture, flowers and other moving objects from the room or place them far enough outdoors
- Seal room passages with foil (also doors due to fine dust)
- Cover non-removable objects and plants with foil
Loosen plaster
A decision can be made between machine removal and manual labor. Electrical appliances can save a lot of time and energy, but it does
requires a little practice as well as a particularly careful approach, because improperly Leadership / operation the device got "out of control" and this damages the bricks can cause. In addition, some people feel safer with a classic hammer & chisel, because here a better, more intense one There is a feeling for the appropriate intensity - especially if you are new to using craft machines.Instructions: hammer and chisel
A hammer and chisel are usually sufficient to remove loose plaster and / or smaller surfaces. Expenditure of force and time is to be expected when using it on larger areas. Above all, plaster that adheres firmly to the wall 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
- Place the chisel as far as possible parallel to the brick wall
- Start with light hammer blows and increase slowly if necessary (to find out how easy or difficult the plaster comes off)
- If the plaster has loosened, place a chisel at an angle under the remaining plaster edges and continue hammering (edges are usually easier to loosen)
- After removing the plaster, brush off large residual particles with a coarse wire brush
- Rework with a fine wire brush (prevents lumps from forming with new plaster)
TIP: Especially for inexperienced hobby craftsmen, it is advisable to carry out a "test" in an inconspicuous place before starting the actual work. on
in this way a feel for the use of a chisel and hammer can be acquired.Instructions: mechanical plaster removal
Three different devices with motors can remove plaster from bricks. There are small differences, mainly related to the type of plaster removed.
TIP: Those who prefer mechanical plaster removal on a brick wall do not need to own or buy their own device. These can often be rented in hardware stores or building trade at hourly, daily or monthly prices.
Hammer drill
A rotary hammer is the mechanical answer to the classic hammer-chisel combination, which is reflected here in one device. Work is carried out with a broad chisel, which should be 40 to 80 millimeters wide. It must be taken into account that the device is extremely powerful compared to the hand-held version. Therefore, you should work with a well-measured speed. The procedure is identical to that described under "Instructions: hammer and chisel".
Concrete grinder
With a concrete grinder, plaster is removed from the surface down to the bricks. While this is the dustiest thing to do, it is also the safest if you don't want to damage the brick under any circumstances. When working with a concrete grinder, the following should be taken into account:
- If the plaster layer is thick, 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 so as not to accidentally grind 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. With the plaster and renovation milling machine, the plaster removal is faster than with the concrete grinder. What to watch out for and how to proceed as follows:
- Pay attention to the milling depth: if the plaster thickness is unknown, start with a shallow depth to protect the bricks
- The surface must be absolutely dry
- Start from a corner
- Chess pattern guidance: first from top to bottom - then across from one side to the other
- Remove residual particles either with sandpaper or a wire brush
- Finally, use a fine wire brush to remove the smallest plaster residue
Remove decorative plaster and roll-up plaster
Decorative and roll-up plaster, which consists of a mix of mineral plaster and synthetic resin, is a specialty. The latter is much more difficult to remove than normal wall plaster. This cannot be countered with hammer and chisel. Depending on the synthetic resin content, only two methods of removal will help:
Low synthetic resin content
- Moisten the plaster generously and let it soak
- Place a spatula or metal scraper at an angle to the wall and push the tool firmly
- Work from the center of the surface in all directions
- If the plaster is dry, moisten it again and let it soak in
- Remove the last, thin residue with sandpaper
Grinding machine
- Suitable for low and above all high synthetic resin content
- Plaster is sanded off with a damp cloth, 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 surface in all directions
- If the plaster is dry, moisten it again and let it soak in
NOTE: In the case of coarse-grain decorative plaster, the wall must not be moistened beforehand. Here you start directly with a coarse grain on a dry surface.
After removing the plaster
The dust also remains on the brick wall exposed by the plaster. Regardless of whether it is to remain natural or to be re-plastered, the dust has to go. The best way to do this on a house facade is to spray it off with a water hose. In indoor areas, this would flood entire rooms. Here it is advisable to wipe the plaster-free wall with a damp sponge. The use of a high-pressure cleaner should be avoided because the massive pressure could damage the bricks and especially the grouting.
