Best way to remove pointing.

[jmn]

Just wanting to know the best way to remove this horrible green pointing as shown in the photo. I can see the normal grey mortar underneath. 89896

[Master Splinter]

I've got to say that it looks more like paint to me...if you've got some paint stripper handy, try that. If it turns out to be coloured mortar, then mechanical removal with an angle grinder (or one of them fancy chasing tools by Metabo) is probably the best option. A really high pressure water blaster may also work if the pointing isn't that good.

[PeteV]

looks like some form of tuckpointing... an arbortech is probably the best way to go!
hope this helps!

[droog]

There are tools available to remove the old tuck pointing, not sure where you would hire one from though.
Mortar Raking (http://www.drywall-emporium.com/mortar-raking-10-c.asp)

Regards Dave

[Black Cat]

He must have left his safety goggles at home - :no:

That looked as if it was taking the edges off the bricks as well as the mortar

[PeteV]

an arbortech works much better than that!
hope this helps!

[jmn]

Thanks for you replies. I will look into hiring an at arbortech

[an3_bolt]

Definately not tuckpointing.

Rake it with a flat head screwdriver. If it comes out easly it is a lime mortar and you could remove the complete elevation by about 20mm or so and then repoint with a lime mortar.

If is solid as buggery - arbourtech probably the best bet for not damaging your brickwork.

My plan " A " though would be to try some peelaway on it first followed with a karcher/gurney or high pressure washer. Most high pressure washers you can hire should be strong enough to actually eat away at the bricks - so use care. If it works, would be quickest and easist way to clean it up.

Good luck - let us know of our success.:2tsup:

[Gaza]

maybe cut it out with grinder first with dimond blade

[jmn]

Thanks an3_bolt for the advice. I won't be using a high pressure cleaner as the wall is in the lounge room.

[an3_bolt]

Bit hard to tell with those pictures - but it kind of looks like paint over the mortar.

The problem I can see occurring if it is paint - even if you remove the mortar a there may be paint still on the edge of the face of the brick that does not remove with the mortar. So even with perfect raking out of the mortar there may still be "little green bits" hanging around.

That is why I suggest the peel away first then with a blast of the karcher. That has worked well on super old paint drips on the bricks at the front of our house. But in the lounge room - could be cause for a domestic dispute that you won't win!(not that it is ever about winning....). The peel away on its own might or might not get rid of any paint on the edges of the bricks - the paint tends to get stuck in the "pores" of the bricks. That is where the blast finishes it off.

Don't use the grinder with a diamond blade on the bricks - one slip and the bricks are irrecoverably damaged. Especially don't mention grinders to a purist conservation person .......

If you can't simply rake it with a flat blade screwdriver - my next bet would be an arbourtech.....especially as it is indoors.

This is going to be one labour of love!!!

Last option is to go fully retro, some bright red plastic furniture, perhaps a disco ball or two and hang some rollerskates on the wall.:roll: