Posted by: Don Taggart on August 04, 1999 at 23:20:06:

I have a house built in 1862, upon which the brick is looking pretty rough in places. Looks like water stains in some areas, and just plain chalky and flaky in others. What is the best way to clean it up? I've heard scrubbing with ammonia, muratic acid, light sanblasting.

Also the mortar is all red, I guess from the bricks bleeding on it for a hundred years. I got a quote to get it done for 16k! That seemed a little much too me. Can I do this myself? I've read about a grout bag in other posts. Would that be the ticket for me? Is there a special tool for removing the mortar?

If I did happen to ever complete this project, should I have the brick sealed? If so, how would one go about that?

Thanks,
Don

Followups::

• Re: Brick Cleanup, Tuck Pointing Don 13:05:06 3/13/2003 (0)
• Re: Brick Cleanup, Tuck Pointing Amy 14:50:27 6/07/2000 (0)
• Re: Brick Cleanup, Tuck Pointing Amy 14:49:50 6/07/2000 (0)
• Re: Brick Cleanup, Tuck Pointing Jeff 21:44:12 8/05/99 (1)
  • Re: Brick Cleanup, Tuck Pointing ETHNIE 16:41:41 1/02/100 (0)

: I have a house built in 1862, upon which the brick is looking pretty rough in places. Looks like water stains in some areas, and just plain chalky and flaky in others. What is the best way to clean it up? I've heard scrubbing with ammonia, muratic acid, light sanblasting. : Also the mortar is all red, I guess from the bricks bleeding on it for a hundred years. I got a quote to get it done for 16k! That seemed a little much too me. Can I do this myself? I've read about a grout bag in other posts. Would that be the ticket for me? Is there a special tool for removing the mortar? : If I did happen to ever complete this project, should I have the brick sealed? If so, how would one go about that? : Thanks, : Don

Subject: