A friend sends this. Can you offer a suggestion? >>Before I knew up from down, I coated the interior of a painted red brick foundation with thoroughseal. Stopping the wall from breathing has caused major mortar failures on the exterior bricks. I know Portland cement will destroy the bricks because it is so hard. What mortar mix should I use? How should I remove the interior sealer to be able to repaint the exterior side in spring? Help is needed to fix this mess. Thanks, hugely. Skip << had a similar problem in KY a few years ago and the thoroseal was bonded tight in many places excpet the mortar joints. It too had been painted prior to the application of thoroseal. That was what allowed us to remove the coating as theapint provided a bond breaker Our solution that worked well was to first use a pneumatic bush hammer that had dulled teeth. It was used with light pressure and that knocked loose the thoroseal. What did not fall off could be scraped off. This worked well without damage to the 1865 bricks. Soft touch was the key. Pat Rick -- **Please remember to trim posts, as requested in the Terms of Service** To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to: <http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>