Does Ivy Damage Brickwork?

[bob5buys]

We have some ivy growing up the back of the house. I must admit I quite like it.
However I am concerned about damage it may do to brickwork/mortar.
The house is appx 150 yrs old, some of the pointing is not in the best of shape.
Thanks in advance

 

[kevplumb]

yes

 

[nstreet]

As I mentioned in another post, we had ivy covering ourconcrete prefab garage, it had crushed the garage, the roots and shoots are very invasive and will find any small crack, they then expand as they grow which results in the damage.

 

[breezer]

if you do want to get rid off it, feed it weed killer, it takes it in and kills it all, but it does take some time, also you will probably need a wire brush to get rid of it.

after ours "died" thats how i eventualy got rid of ours

 

[sandwell]

A good way of killing Ivy is apraying it with SBK, mixed with parafin

 

[JDLDIY]

I had loads of ivy growing on different sides of my house. It not only does damage to the brickwork but also to drains underground.

To remove it you can first spray the leaves with weedkiller, this is then absorbed into the plant and is spread throughout to kill it off. I would then recommend cutting through the roots above ground so that the ivy on the wall is isolated and not getting any nutrients at all. I then left it like that for a few weeks/months to dry out completely, it turns brown. Then it just comes off the wall easily without pulling off too much brick and mortar.

I am still left with residue bits of ivy branch but I'm hoping most of that weather off in due course.
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