Ok. So I have fitted the garage plastic fascia board and replaced/repainted the soffit board.
Now, how do I get rid of the Ivy tendrils clinging to the brick wall?
Failures so far include angle grinder and wire brush at low speed. Orbital sander with coarse grit.
Not yet tried pressure washer. I suspect the best route might be to wet the surface in advance of a severe frost but not currently available:-)
Any suggestions?
Blowtorch
Bill
They're not tendrils - they're roots, and they penetrate the brick. Probably the simplest way to remove the ivy, although it's hard work, is to use an old paint or wallpaper scraper. You won't get rid of the marks caused by the roots, I'm afraid. They are permanent (unless you paint over them).
Wouldn't something like Jeyes or even glyphosate kill it then wait for nature to run its course be the best solution?
In message snipped-for-privacy@news.eternal-september.org>, Lawrence snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com writes
The Ivy was removed 5 years ago!
Roots = tendrils but they certainly penetrate porous brick!
I'm going to try the blowtorch tomorrow.
It occurs to me that plastics in modern housing might be a contributor to recent conflagrations:-(
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Ok Bill. Worth a try.
Let us know how you get on. I have the same problem, but the (dense, dead) ivy goes up to a flat roof. Not very keen on blowtorching in case it carries...
(although the current weather conditions suggest blowtorches on plant matter are a bad idea given the risk of embers starting grass fires. Maybe just a few tendrils is ok if they aren't going to detach, but I'd stop if there's any risk it could spread)
Theo
I had this problem recently. Tried pressure washer, wire brush, paint scraper. None of it shifted them. They weren't five years old though, more like twelve months. Eventually I just painted over them and forgot about them.
Leave them to dry out in the sunshine and they will fall off when they are ready.
I did that 20 years ago and the rotted out imprint of remaining root hairs is still there.
Mind I was told never to abrade bricks as they had a tougher skin than the inside and the lime mortar just pulls out with the ivy so I'm leaving as is as a reminder not to let ivy climb up the side of the house, or over a hawthorn hedge.
I did that on my concrete sectional garage. I need to do it again now, as it has re-grown in the years since.
I used to have an Aunty Ivy. It would take more than a f****ng blowtorch to get rid of her.
Bill
5 Years! They are dry! North facing wall and probably 450mm soffit plus gutter so not getting much weather. >
Hmm.. Apart from the revenge element, not a huge improvement over powered wire brushing.
Sadly the blackened debris still needs to be removed. This leaves a thin skin directly in contact with the brick. Sufficient wire brushing to remove this darkens the (red facing) brick.
I've got about 10m2 to clean!
Agricultural power washer next....
You almost need a giant version of the skin waxing that some people use to remove unwanted body hair. Brian
Like this ...
doesn't that damage bricks too? (removes sand coating)
Not modern facing brick.
Anyway a 20 year old Draper pressure washer does the trick!
One brick at a time..
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pressure washer worked for me ....
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