Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Brick Exterior: badly chipping paint...HELP

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PDA
03-26-01, 01:10 PM
HELP.

We have just bought a home that has a painted brick exterior. The paint is chipped badly all over....it seems it hasn't been painted in many years and in very bad condition. Where do we start? How do we prep to repaint? Will sand blasting/powerwashing hurt? Our home was built in 1897. We want to do it ourselves if possible.

Thanks,
Melissa

2000
03-26-01, 10:02 PM
The keywords paint and 1897 introduce two separate issues (historic masonry and the likelihood of lead based paint). Sandblasting and powerwashing are definite nos. Either would cause harm to brickwork of that era and spread lead contamination.

For more on historic masonry see the preservation briefs http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tps/briefs/presbhom.htm (ie: graffiti removal [relates to paint], cleaning, and repointing).

In some states only licensed lead abatement contractors may remove and dispose of lead based paints. A worthwhile factsheet http://www.epa.gov/lead/rrpamph.pdf (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF files): http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

If you choose DIY removal see http://www.peelaway.com for products.

Another approach is encapsulation encapsulation products (http://www.fiberlock.com/)