Exposed brickwork: top tips for removing plaster
Achieve a rustic or industrial look at home with an exposed brick wall. Here’s what you need to know before you try it.
Image: Aaron Huber
Are you a fan of industrial-style interiors? Or fancy playing up your home’s rustic qualities with an exposed brick wall?
Searches for ‘exposing brickwall’ are up 132% year-on-year, but rather than paying an expensive tradesperson to tackle the task, here’s some advice from Glowing Embers for some top DIY tips on how to expose a brick wall at home
Prep and examine
Examine the state of the brick you wish to expose before starting. If your brickwork is in poor condition, you may need to consult with a specialist before you start the work.
Protect your surroundings
Protect the floor nearest the wall by covering it with sheeting. This will help stop it from scratching or chipping as bits of plaster fall from the wall. Plus, it makes the cleaning process much quicker at the end.
Image: Derick Mckinney
Time for tools
Start breaking up the plaster with a masonry chisel and hammer. Once you have removed most of the plaster, you can then focus on the tough sections that remain. If you have some sections that refuse to come away, try using a sharp knife.
Once all the plaster has been removed, use a wire brush to go over the exposed wall. This will remove any small bits of plaster and sediment.
Clean up
Image: Drew Coffman
Once you’ve cleared the wall, spread a mild detergent on the brickwork. Leave this solution on the brickwork for 5-10 minutes and then wipe it away with a wet sponge.
The perfect finish
Finally, use one or two coats of brick sealant on the newly exposed wall. This will make it appear much clearer and help to protect it for years to come.
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