How to Remove Brick Veneer

Brick veneer is a commonly used material that can be easily removed if necessary.

Brick is one of the oldest building materials still used in modern construction, and is available in dozens of different colors and sizes. While brick is not widely used as a structural building material, it is commonly used as a veneer to cover architectural features ranging from walls to fireplaces. Veneer brick is applied to a structural surface using mortar and while the mortar offers a strong bond that usually performs well under most situations, can be removed in a generally straightforward manner, using only basic construction tools.

Things You'll Need

• Small masonry chisel (1-inch wide, or smaller)
• Small sledge hammer
• Flat pry bar
• Large masonry chisel (3-inch wide)
• Wheel barrow

Instructions

1. Remove the mortar surrounding a corner brick, using the small chisel and small sledge hammer to chip away the mortar.

2. Angle the small chisel to chip away at the mortar that holds it to the wall; you may damage the first brick doing this. If this does not free the brick from the wall, pry the brick using the flat pry bar.

3. Angle the large masonry chisel (45-degrees from the wall, or less) to the mortar joint of any of the bricks surrounding the void created by removing the brick from steps 1 and 2.

4. Hold the chisel firmly and tap with the small sledge hammer to remove the mortar behind the brick until the brick breaks away. Repeat this process outward, removing the rest of the veneer brick from the wall, prying bricks using the flat pry bar as necessary. Remove any excess mortar clinging to the wall using the large chisel and small sledge hammer.

References

• "Building with Masonry: Brick, Block, and Concrete"; R. T. Kreh; 1998