I have recently seen some terrible advice on removing paint from exterior brick in several old house groups. Sandblasting is never the right answer for this. There are appropriate paint removal methods for exterior brick.
When brick is fired in the kiln, a hard “skin” forms on the outer surfaces, where it is most exposed to the heat. Similar to the crust on a loaf of bread. Sandblasting will remove this outer skin and leave the softer interior of the brick exposed. The interior of a brick, once exposed, is like a sponge and will absorb excessive moisture.
In a cold climate, this will freeze and quickly cause the brick to break down. In a warmer climate, the brick will deteriorate more slowly but still will eventually crumble. Power washing with enough pressure to remove paint also damages the brick, and drives excessive moisture into the brick and mortar.
The National Park Service has a Preservation Brief on this topic: https://ow.ly/cjjW50QKPAa
There are products made to remove paint from brick without causing damage. As a preservation consultant on historic tax credit projects, I have seen the best results from Prosoco products. They manufacture a line of masonry paint removal products for a variety of conditions, along with excellent masonry restoration cleaners. The painted walls of the mill building in the photos were stripped and cleaned with their products. https://ow.ly/BlC850QKPAb
Appropriate approaches for all exterior materials are covered in “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.”
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available from the author in our shop, YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
© Scott T. Hanson 2024.
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