"Jerry Built" ] wrote in message . ..
"N. Thornton" wrote:
"Christian McArdle" wrote...
Toby wrote:

As this place will get sold within 5 years, I think I'll just give
the facade a scrub; this should give the mortar a fresher appearance
so may pass a casual inspection.

I've been warned not to do that as the bricks tend to become absorbent
and turn green. The accumulated muck keeps the water out apparently.

What is your source of information? It's fine to clean external
brickwork by non-destructive means. Things like sandblasting or
scabbling are right out though! You don't really want a build-up
of moss etc. on your house!

Am I allowed to have my house sandblasted (to be followed up by
repointing and coating with waterproofer)? It's worrying me; but how
else do I remove all the old bits of crud and cement left behind when
the render was hacked off, to restore the facade both aesthetically
and functionally?

Thanks
David