How To Remove Plaster From Brick
Get rid of unwanted plaster and expose brick walls with these simple techniques to help add character and charm back into your home.
Equipment
- Hammer
- Chisel
- Pry bar
- Respirator or dust mask (Respirator is best)
- Wire brush
- Safety glasses
- Drill
- Sanding attachment for drill
- Plastic sheeting/dust cover
- Shop vac
- Bucket
- Water
- Rags
Instructions
- Gather your tools and materials.
- Cover the surrounding area including the floor with plastic sheeting to protect it from debris. The dust is going to get anywhere and everywhere. This is an extremely messy job. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask to protect yourself from dust particles.
- Start by using the hammer and chisel or any plaster removal tool to chip away at the plaster. Use the pry bar to remove larger chunks of plaster that may be more difficult to remove with just a hammer or chisel. Be careful not to go too deep with the chisel because you will damage the brick. Avoid hitting extremely hard you do not want to mess with the structural quality of the brick by disrupting the mortar holding the bricks together.
- Once you have removed as much of the plaster as possible with your tools, use a drill and the sanding attachment to begin removing any remaining plaster. Apply moderate pressure over the mortar joints to remove excess mortar. Some brick like ours was never meant to be exposed when it was installed years ago. The original mortar was extremely messy with globs on the face of the bricks that was never removed. If you have this same issue or have plaster on the surface of the brick then using the sanding attachment and drill sand the entire surface. If you don't have a drill you can use a wire brush to clean off any remaining residue.
- After removing the bulk of the plaster you will be left with a thin layer on your plaster walls sometimes referred to as skim. It is just an extremely thin coating of plaster. Depending on how much of it you want removed continue step 4 until you achieve the look you want. Use water and a sponge to rinse off any debris left on the brick surface. Make sure all debris has been completely removed before moving on.
- Allow time for the brick surface to dry completely before sealing it.
Lewis Acres Homestead