Sandblasting damage

To the real estate editor: The woman in North Carolina who is reluctant to use sandblasting to remove paint from the old brick of her house (Jan. 28) should indeed be reluctant, and perhaps it would have been helpful to readers to have the point emphasized in the excellent advice provided by Mr. Holly.

Sandblasting old brick will irreparably damage the brick, causing problems no one with a brick house wants.

If a properly administered chemical removal process doesn't work, the owner no doubt would be a lot happier with painted brick than she'd be with the exterior deterioration she'd have following sandblasting.

Why do people paint brick?

John S. Ruch Harmony, Pa.