Removing Limewash from Bricks

[LincsLiving]

Hi there,

I'm trying to go about removing limewash from one face of my house. Originally it was covered in very, very poor condition white render. The plan was originally to re-render it, but I quite like the exposed brick/stones - so now I'm wanting to clean the brickworks up, so the red bricks are exposed and there are 2 stone columns (one to the left, one in the middle).

The guys who removed the render have quoted me £5.5K to remove the lime wash. They seemed rather cagey about how they were exactly getting it off, but they said something about using a hot steamer type thing, which didnt damage the brick work, but it had a big van with compressors on it and it would effectively melt the limewash off. Googling it - I can't find anything about this.

I read online that you can use 1:1 vinegar/water mix, spraying it on and leaving it 10 minutes then using a hard brush to scrub off. Alternatively people said you can use a light pressure washer and a masonry/brick cleaner solution within it.

Questions:

1. What do you think would the best way to remove the limewash from the bricks
2. Were the builders trying it on with the quote?

Thanks!

Pics:

https://imgur.com/3Hi724B

https://imgur.com/qvQH3c4

 

[malcolm]

The guys who removed the render have quoted me £5.5K to remove the lime wash. They seemed rather cagey about how they were exactly getting it off, but they said something about using a hot steamer type thing, which didnt damage the brick work, but it had a big van with compressors on it and it would effectively melt the limewash off. Googling it - I can't find anything about this.

That'll be a very hot water pressure washer. Internet can help if you search for 'DOFF pressure washing' or 'DOFF paint stripping'. If there is any paint you want to remove from stone or brick it would be worth doing it at the same time.

 

[LincsLiving]

That'll be a very hot water pressure washer. Internet can help if you search for 'DOFF pressure washing' or 'DOFF paint stripping'. If there is any paint you want to remove from stone or brick it would be worth doing it at the same time.

Thanks Malcolm. I've just had a google and it looks like that's what it's called. I thought it might have been a TORC system at first, but I think it's a DOFF one. I've contacted a few places for quotes, so I will let you know how I get on.
I found a place where you can rent them for £399 a week and these builders already had the tool from another job which finished early. I think they were definitely trying to take advantage on hindsight with a £5.5K quote for a tool they already had / or cost £399 a week to rent, when they said it would only take a day or two.

Someone on reddit also said to be careful with vinegar, because it will also eat away at all the lime pointing (which I didn't think about!). I guess when people have recommended that before, it was maybe limewash on bricks with cement pointing (newer properties).

 

[a twig]

I’d be surprised if you can rent a DOFF machine as the manufacturer doesn’t allow them to be rented to the public due to certification / training requirements. (You’re wanging pressurised steam around and there is a possibility of damage if used without care and attention).

Usually the very few places that do offer them for hire require evidence that you’ve had the manufacturer’s training.

Of course you may find a hire place that is more relaxed but the above was the “official” line when I looked into rental a while back