Interior Brick Walls Old Building Converting To A Loft Apartment

dakzaag

How would I go about converting these old walls into living interior space? The project is converting a second floor loft into an apartment. Structurally the building looks sound, but its gonna need a lot of polish. I am wondering how to clean the old plaster off. and then seal the brick so they don't get a bunch of brick pieces falling off all the time.

Probably only doing one or two rooms depending on how it comes out. I am thinking clean the walls, tuck point and then seal with a heavy clear product to lock the dust and odor behind the finish.

Brick is possibly 100 years old. Some of them are pretty soft, but most look ok.

Here are a few pics.




I cant explain the home made elevator in this pic, needless to say safety wasn't the first thought in designing this.


I think if it can be done properly the place will have a great look to it. Slapped together it is going to be a polished turd.



So. should I walk or run to the nearest exit?

Typical crap about alot of other work that is needed down the road, We looked at stuff for several hours, but this is the first project. He wants to get building soon and I think my brick restoration should be done before the carpenters even show up. I trust the guy, but I get the feeling he is a tight wad.

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D K & Sons
The maintenance schedule for brick
1. Stand back and say "man that looks nice!"
2. Repeat as often as needed.

Tscarborough

It is doable and can look great. For interior brick, sandblasting is the easiest, even though it basically ruins the brick. After you sandblast it and tuck it there are products known as "consolidaters" that you can put on it to eliminate dusting.

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It ain't Rocket Science unless you are building rockets.

NJ Brickie

I love the look of old exposed brick inside. If you get the job post some completed pics. Good luck

dakzaag

Thanks for the advice, I agree it can look really good. Sand blasting is outside of my scope of abilities, but I know someone locally who is pretty good with it, I may check that out.

I will post if and when it finishes up.

I have some other stuff to post from this guy, but most of it is basic repair. How often do other trades look at maintenance of 100 year old buildings? That is what is truly great about well constructed masonry.

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D K & Sons
The maintenance schedule for brick
1. Stand back and say "man that looks nice!"
2. Repeat as often as needed.

MALCO.New.York

The only thing that those walls need is a mild scrub with powdered Tide and water.

It would be a CRIME to remove the Patina of the Ages from them.

They, in themselves, tell a story.

Remove the grime but DO NOT "brighten" them up. Lofts are supposed to be a bit "Raw".

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Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
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dakzaag

A fuller brush and a bucket of soapy water...

My first job over 40 years ago went something like that.

Well at least I have experience, maybe I can get an extra $5 per hour as a journeyman bucket washer. Wouldn't that qualify me for an extra 15 minute break at 10:00?

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D K & Sons
The maintenance schedule for brick
1. Stand back and say "man that looks nice!"
2. Repeat as often as needed.

stacker

i like the looks as it is.i think it if were me,i would just tuck point where needed and seal it.we did a job several years ago where we stuccoed a ladies basement and laid some thin brick in the wall in different places.(made it look like the stucco had fallen off and left the brick exposed)we even took an church key bottle opener and made "cracks"in the stucco.it turned out great.

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life is short,do your masonry naked!!
http://ok.local.yahoo.biz/knabemasonry/index.html

MALCO.New.York

If you seal it you loose the Brick Smell!

It will not "Dust" enough to warrant sealing.

But I am a Purist when it comes to Architecture and History concerning structures.

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE