Suggestions On How To Remove Ivy?

[crewchiefracer]

We usually post on other the other forums but something came up today that we need help with. We were asked to do a landscaping estimate on an established house. One problem is that 18 feet (long) on the side of the client's brick house is covered with creeping ivy. We tried to pull one vine but it seems like it's cemented to the brick (thank goodness it's brick) Any suggestions on how to remove it other than using a large metal putty knife?

Also, would you charge by the hour for removing this mess from her house as well as digging it out of the soil?

Thanks for your input!

Valerie for crewchiefracer.

[work it]

I found this on the University of Wisconsin extension (www.uwex.edu/ces/house/dynamic/subdetails)

The best plan is to cut the ivy away. According to the Brick Institute of America, this is safer than pulling it away. Pulling away may pull away mortar and loose bricks as well. Chemicals may stain the bricks or mortar. Immediately after removing the ivy use a stiff brush and laundry detergent to remove the pads that hold the ivy to the masonry. If you let them dry they will be nearly impossible to remove. Some types of vines have rootlike anchors that burrow into the mortar. These will eventual dry up and disappear once the vine is removed.

[Blake]

My Dad has that crap on his house, brick also. BURN THE HOUSE DOWN! You may never get all of it. I've cut it with a string trimmer, pocket knife, pliers & various other things. All worked but it's a slow process. Spray round-up when you finish (if you finish). Good luck.

[work it]

I found that brush-b-gone is one of the best products for killing all types of ivy. It was also mentioned to me that you can use a brick to scrape off the tendrils left behind. Before pulling on the ivy make sure that the mortar is in good shape, or you may end up pulling down part of the wall.

[RRS]

Roundup (possibly two applications) then powerwash what's left on the wall.

[Seascape]

Aim a sprinkler on the area for about 8-12 hrs prior to service. Apply the wter high and allow it to run down the wall and material. It will soften the tissue enough to remove more safely.

I have a condo community that has several areas of this. Yeras ago we opted to keep the ivy but we now have chosen mortar lines to contain the growth. We go in twice annually and cut at the line. Above the line the new growth is removed easily.

If the ivy has been up for years dont expect to remove every minute fiber and evidence of its existance. Doing this would require material to be removed from the wall. More harm than good. Let mother nature work the wall clean,,, but dont expect it to happen over night. A power wash as RRS suggested will excelerate the process but tread carfully on old mortar and brick. Any repairs will have to be matched to appear professional. Easier said than done in most cases.

If you spray be sure to use your own surfactant.

[mariner]

Roundup (possibly two applications) then powerwash what's left on the wall.

I like this suggestion the best. Seems to be the lesser labor intesive way. I'm all for that.
I removed some yesterday for an insurance agent. Luckily, we are still in the dormant season and the stuff pulled out pretty easily. He is having a deck put up where I pulled it out so it'll cover the little bit on the wall that I couldn't get it all off.

[Seascape]

I like this suggestion the best. Seems to be the lesser labor intesive way. I'm all for that.
I removed some yesterday for an insurance agent. Luckily, we are still in the dormant season and the stuff pulled out pretty easily. He is having a deck put up where I pulled it out so it'll cover the little bit on the wall that I couldn't get it all off.

In mass amounts it is wiser to pull down LIVE vs dead and dry. Starting at the top take 1 strand and carefully pull off forcing the plant out and up. Once you can grab and pull several strands together youll get longer and more material to come off. Dead dry stands tend to break easliy making it a tedious labor intense process.

Eventually youll find grabbing material at the bottom and pulling the plant down and up (otherwords not straight out) will work better for the thick material at the bottom of the wall.

The material left inbetween those areas is usually removed easiest by grabbing the strand in the middle pulling out until loose,, than work off gently from the middle up,, and than middle down.

Youll get better results w/ an initial pull,, than opt for RU to keep it down until irradicated.