Replies

1. 
   RalphWicklund | Apr 27, 2008 06:49am | #1

   Start at the top.<G>

   The angle grinder will get you started loosening the bricks. Then a small air chisel will move you right along as you break the bond between the mortar and brick.

   I've done it by hand with a small cold chisel. The object is to break the mortar - not the brick. The air chisel also makes short work of cleaning off the rest of the mortar if you plan to reuse the brick.

   If you have the time, save the money and do it yourself. It's not rocket science.

1. 
   pwn2002 | Apr 27, 2008 02:05pm | #2

   thanks - i did forget to mention i will reuse the brick.

1. 
   CapnMac | Apr 29, 2008 02:43am | #9

   forget to mention i will reuse the brick

   Getting the brick loose is not too bad.

   Given how low the quote is, I'm guessing there's a good spot to set up staging.  And that there's a good landing spot for the brick.

   See, the real key for reuse is to find a parking place for the brick that is not in the way of the future work, which can be as wide again as the work being planned (don't forget getting vehicles/equipment around your "dig").  Also, it's a really bad idea to park the brick where the new septic field (or the expansion of the existing) goes (don't ask how I know).

   Some scrap plywood makes a good surface to pile your salvaged brick upon.  Resist any temptation to go much over 36" high as you stack the courses.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

2. 
   MikeHennessy | Apr 28, 2008 02:43pm | #3

   Ditto on the air chisel. You can get a cheapo for about $25, IIRC. Once you get started, a quick shot with the AC will pop the bricks no problem, little dust.

   Besides, they make a cool noise! ;-)

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

3. 
   Biff_Loman | Apr 28, 2008 05:49pm | #4

   My dad removed all the brick on their house by snaking steel cable behind the brick and pulling it off with the tractor.

   Don't do that. ;-)

   Edit: There were actually injuries from flying brick shards.

   
   

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   Edited 4/28/2008 10:50 am ET by Biff_Loman

4. 
   Piffin | Apr 28, 2008 06:31pm | #5

   "i may help him to bring down my cost. "

   What is his thinking on that?

   Every time I have allowed a HO to 'help' with siding or roofing, it ended up costing them more.
   Comes down to how handy are you really?
   That you are thinking of using a grinder suggests to me that you don't know how handy you would be at this. I'd save the grinder for some final cleanup detailing since you plan to re-use the bricks.

   Taking it down for a grand sounds cheap for that height. Itr is cleaning the brick to re-use that will be time consuming and a place where you can save some bucks ( or loonies as the case may be)

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   RSmout | Apr 28, 2008 10:48pm | #6

   We saved our old brick when we did our addition. Air chisel is the only way to go. Keep the brick and mortar wet to keep the dust down. Aim the chisel between the mortar and the brick and a quick hit with the air makes it comes right off. We saved and reused a little over 5,000 bricks this way.Get a big enough compressor to handle the air chisel - they go through lots of air. We burned up a smaller compressor and darn if I didn't have to get a bigger one...

5. 
   MSA1 | Apr 28, 2008 11:38pm | #7

   I'd think you could pop a good few of those bricks loose with a simple tap with a hammer.

   I took a brick wall down when I was about 14. I think we may have simply put a bar behind the brick and pulled. I know we didnt have any power tools. 

   Almost forgot. Dont forget the good old sign at the junk yard:

   "If we do it, its $100

   If you help, its $150

   If you watch, its $125"

   Good Luck.

    

   
   

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   Edited 4/28/2008 4:40 pm ET by MSA1

6. 
   JLazaro317 | Apr 29, 2008 02:34am | #8

   I use a combination of a Bosch Bulldog and a brick chisel with a 2# sledge. Start at the top and work your way down. Starting is the hardest part.

   John

   J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

   Indianapolis, In.