Lightly sand blast it

The prior owner of my home painted the brick fireplace. I'd like to try and remove the paint with a sandblaster and I've read the BIA does not recommend it. Can you explain why and what other methods I should use? My house was built in 1970 and the brick is a multi-colored Chicago brick.

Thanks for the guidance,

Blake Hull

media, NOT SAND ! ! !

there are paint strippers (beanee-doo) avail,,, do NOT wash w/muriatic as you'll destroy the mortar,,, & don't ask me how i know this - i just know ( the ex- )

there are some good ones avail,,, environmentally-safe, too,,, however, you won't be able to strip ALL of it ( in the pores of the mortar ) so be prepared to wait a generation.

1st, understand the term's definition - its abrasive out of a nozzle driven by & mix'd with compress'd air.

the damage, UNLESS you're REAL GOOD, is caus'd by choosing the wrong abrasive, air pressure, &/or incorrect volume of air.

any error & you risk 'breaking' the surface of the brick leading to unsightly appearance & increas'd deterioration of the brick.

all that said - its not my brick & it IS your house.