removing tar from brick wall in very old home!?

Question

I have a very old place, from 1885. I've removed some of the old plaster walls to do exposed brick. At the top of one wall for some reason they tarred the brick before plastering it. I have no idea why. I am finding it very difficult though to get this tar off! Does anyone have any suggestions? Are there any solvents that might help?

Answer 1

There are, but they're mostly dangerous. Gasoline, acetone, and other chemicals that aren't great for the environment (or your yard).

I looked it up, just to be sure, but the fact is, the only safe way to remove it is with sandblasting.

Answer 2

I would not use a solvent on it such as a naptha or paint thinner, that will cause it to run down and damage more bricks

If the tar is very old, it is also brittle, I would use dry ice or commonly called CO2 ice on the tar, That will drop its temp to a point where it contracts at a rate much greater tan the brick below and it leaves the brick.

This technique is used to restore old building that have asphalt damage to their lower few bricks and works well in removal of it. .

You will need a pair of insulated gloves and a burlap bag to contain the ice.

Answer 3

wd-40, gas,etc. here lies the problem, the brick is porous. yeah i know i cant spell these days, but the liquid runoff will be absorbed and stain the brick very deep, unless you use a sealer. id use some butane or propane to keep it cool while i chipped excess off, then worry about the rest. ps, you could always stain the brick with whitewash, plaster, or remove the mortar and replace the bricks entirely.now you also could use a suspension type liquid that doesnt mix with asphalt or tar, but for the likes of me, i dont know any but soapy water. there is a brick acid for cleaning brick, used to know the technical name, but i just asked for brick acid. there also may have been a draft or crack in the brick or mortar or maybe just excess sweating in the area. good luck and hope you get your desired results.

Answer 4

My father owns an asphalt business so he always has tar on him or something.
if it's alot of tar on a large surface your best bet would be to heat it and remove it in small sections, if it is a small place that's covered in tar then try gasoline and a rough scrub brush. To heat use a blow torch. Hope this helps you. If not I would try going to your local Lowes or Home Depot they have trained professionals that can help you with a cleaner.

Answer 5

Sand blasting MAY work if the tar is very old and brittle. I think you may have to use a combo of sand blasting and pressure washing. Either way, it's a lot of work...GOOD LUCK!

Looking at some of these answers, I think some of these people want you to burn your house down! LOL

Answer 6

Gas works great but after you apply the gas you must wash it down with water, maybe even add a degreaser to the water.

Answer 7

since these are interior walls id be a little concerned using any of the methods here. if its only at the top , can you cover it it with a wide trim board?

Answer 8

try good ol' gasoline it'll take tar right off of your hands so it should work on brick. you might wanna wear gloves cuz it will dry your hands up