How to Remove a Skim Coat From Brick Walls

Select a point in the center of the wall and place the tip of a chisel onto the skim coating, holding the chisel at a 45-degree angle.

Strike the chisel with a hammer, using a moderate amount of force to crack the skim coating beneath the chisel point. Move the chisel along the crack, striking the head of the tool with the hammer to extend the crack as much as possible.

Move the chisel to the top of the crack and place the tip into the crack so it lies perpendicular to it, angled about 60 degrees. Strike the tip to break off a piece of the skim coat from the brick surface. Continue down the crack, breaking at least a 1-inch strip of skim coating from the wall.

Aim the nozzle of a pressure washer at the edge of the crack, angled about 60 degrees to the wall. Turn on the pressure washer at its highest power setting then strike the wall with the spray to break away the skim coat from the brick. Move the spray along the bricks, maintaining the angle to continue stripping the coat from the wall in pieces until you’ve cleared the entire coating away.

Scrub any skim coat residue from the wall with a stiff-bristled nylon brush. Keep the wall wet, as you scrub the bricks, by spraying the surface with a garden hose. Allow the brick wall to dry overnight then wipe off any white residue remaining with a damp cloth.