Brick Cleaning - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Dan Dykstra · Senior Member

Brick Cleaning

John Smith · Lead Tech Certified

Good morning,
With you subbing the job out I would suggest calling paint contractors first because guys that call themselves " Restoration" will charge a ton more.
Personally I would just get a paint stripper, roll and brush it on and let it cook. Finish with a power wash. Depending on how thick it is it might take two coats of the stripper

John Orrico · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

No Dan it shouldn't. You can buy a lead paint test kit at Home Depot. If the paint does not have lead in it your free to remove it without taking any precaution. If it does, as long as you use a licensed contractor and they are RRP certified and they follow the proper procedures you shouldn't have a problem. I don't know if you're a licensed builder in the state of Michigan. If you are, to become RRP certified it's about a four hour class and you're certified. I am not 100% sure if you need to be licensed to take the class. Painters are required to have a builder's license in Michigan. If the paint is lead based, just take the precautions and you will be fine. The EPA passed this new law a couple of years ago. You do not want to mess around with this law, the fine for your 1st offense could be $30,000.00 and yes, $30,000.00. I'm sure you have heard of Hanson Windows, I have heard they are one of the bigger companies busted and fined $30,000.00+.

-- Edited by John Orrico on Saturday 9th of March 2013 06:04:02 PM

-- Edited by John Orrico on Saturday 9th of March 2013 06:18:04 PM

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Try dads stipper and remover on it with a power wash to follow.

John Orrico · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

Dan,

Jason turned me on to a company called Eacochem for a problem I had. They have several different products to remove paint from brick.

If you plan on subbing it out be sure the company you hire is RRP certified and they test for lead.

Ryan Freidline · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

We have experience with this. You will need a stripper, and then a "turbo nozzle" works best for removing what is left. It will be a mess, but allow if possible for paint chips to dry on the ground and then shop vac it up.

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT7jwHOPBNJzvWZq-b8lmW9R28Pz4oBPU6i1MQjgTbTdw_hAz-T

Dan Dykstra · Senior Member

There is a very good chance that the paint used is a lead based paint, this is going to cause all kinds of issues in the city it is in.

Dan Dykstra · Senior Member

Thanks John,
I have spoke with my neighbor (he is a painter) and he checked out the brick, he has agreed to remove the paint as he has done this before and he has the proper licensing for the job. Thanks to everyone for your help.