Skip to main content

You might decide to remove render from a surface for multiple reasons, including wanting to reapply fresh render, doing something different with the wall, or restoring a historic property to its original state.

But what’s the best way to remove render from a surface without causing any structural damage?

How to Remove Render from a Wall

The most effective way to remove render from a building is to chisel it off the wall using a club hammer, cold chisel, bolster chisel, an electric rotary hammer drill or a power drill for larger areas.

Professionals may also use soda or sand-blasting, which is mainly used on large areas of render but poses more of a risk to the underlying structure, which is why it is best left to the professionals.

Here are the steps to take to remove the render off a surface:

  1. Safety equipment:
    Safety comes first! Make sure to wear gloves, safety goggles and a mask to protect yourself from the dust.
  2. Get your tools:
    Collect everything you’ll need. This includes a chisel, hammer, water (from a hose or high-pressure washer), a stiff brush, and plastic sheeting to protect the surrounding areas.
  3. Remove the render:
    Using a cold chisel or hammer, chip away at the render, starting from the top and working your way down. Hold the chisel at a slight angle so the underlying brick does not become damaged.
    Use a stiff brush to wipe away any dust or debris as you go along.
  4. Cleaning the wall:
    Once the render has been removed, use a hose or high-pressure washer to rinse off the remaining debris and dust from the surface.

If any debris remains, you can apply a mild detergent to the wall and use a stiff brush to scrub it clean. Afterwards, rinse the surface once again.

Things to Consider Before Removing the Render

  • The historical value of the render:
    Is the rendering part of a historical building? If so, it might be best to leave it on the building. If the damage to it is not too bad, look at repairing/patching up the render instead of completely removing it.
  • Removing cement-based renders:
    Cement-based renders can trap moisture, which can lead to structural damage occurring over time. Removing the render can sometimes also reveal hidden damage. That is why it is best to hire a professional to remove cement-based renders.
  • Mechanical rendering removal:
    If the render is covering a large surface area or is hard to remove with a chisel or hammer, it may need to be removed with a power drill with a masonry brush attached, which will help loosen up the render.
  • Testing removal:
    Before removing the render, test a small area first to see if the render will come away from the surface easily.
  • Protecting surrounding areas:
    Use plastic sheeting to protect the garden, windows, doors and driveway.
  • Contact a professional:
    If the idea of removing rendering is too daunting for you, or if you’ve tried removing it yourself and it just isn’t working, call a professional! They can help get the job done quickly, safely and efficiently.

At Sydney Cement Rendering, we take pride in being Sydney’s trusted rendering experts. We provide our customers with the highest quality rendering services. Contact us at 0402 704 984 or visit our website: https://sydneycementrendering.com/ to find out more about what we offer!