OT - reclaiming bricks

 I know this isn't really on topic for this group, but I'm sure there
will be people here who can point me in the right direction because it
is related.

I just finished taking down a brick wall on the front of my house
because it was leaning dangerously over the pavement - I discovered it
was badly constructed, but also had roots growing through it and
between the layers of bricks, from a shrub that a predecessor had
planted all along it to make a hedge. Anyway I've pulled the hedge out
and now want to rebuild the wall using the same bricks.

I've been chiselling away with lump hammer and bolster chisel to remove
the mortar, but have decided to try to find if I can hire some sort of
electric chisel device because there are a LOT of bricks. I'd rather
re-use them because they will be in keeping with almost identical walls
in the immediate vicinity (probably 1930s imperial size bricks).

However, once the mortar is removed, is there anything else I can use
to clean them up more?

Thanks

 On Sat, 03 Sep 2011 10:11:22 -0500, "JIP"


You might try posting your question in uk.d-i-y but AFAIK, a lot will
depend on the "quality" of bricks. If they are 1930s, using any sort
of power tool on them is more likely to disintegrate the bricks than
to remove the mortar. I don't think there is any way other than the
time-consuming process using a wide bolster chisel and hammer.

If by cleaning you mean removing any remaining stains after you've got
the mortar off, then something like patio cleaner will do a decent
job, maybe soaking the bricks in a bucket-full of it and then going
over them with a scrubbing brush or lay them out and use a pressure
washer. If you do that, I'd suggest a vario-lance rather than a
blaster attachment (those are the Karcher terms), again  to avoid any
damage to old bricks.

Cheers
Jake
==============================================
Gardening at the dry end (east) of Swansea Bay
in between reading anything by JRR Tolkien.

www.rivendell.org.uk

 
[snipped]

Or subscribe to 'Over the Gate' <http://overthegate.myfreeforum.org/>;
an excellent forum for all sorts of craft and rural matters.

Roy.
--
                                  Roy Bailey
                                West Berkshire.

 On 03/09/2011 16:11, JIP wrote:

I've seen the pros use a large brick trowel to knock off the old mortar.
They just hold the brick in one hand and whack it precisely on the
joint. As with all whacking it's to do with impact rather than how hard
you hit it :) A bolster is just too fat

 @text.usenet.plus.net:


A scutch is an effective tool for your task.
You will already have found that some bricks are easy to de-mortar, and
some aren't. And if you are laying these bricks you will find it neccessary
to have a clean product.
Good luck and best wishes.

Baz