How do I get rid of wall clinging ivy without damaging brickwork?

[michelle1959]

I have a very rampant wall clinging ivy on both front and back of house which is going crazy. I do not necessarily want to get rid of it entirely but would like it sensitively cut back. It is mixed in with clematis which I would like to keep on front of house. Can anyone recommend a good gardener or someone who can manage pruning it back to restrict growth?

[KidKruger]

I would cut a gap in the main stems down near the ground, wait for affected areas to die and dry-out then pull them off when brittle to try and minimise damage to brickwork.

[Sue]

You will be constantly having the same problem if you keep the ivy.

As long as there are roots in the ground, it will just keep growing and going berserk, and you will be forever cutting it back (which far from restricting its growth, will just encourage it to grow more).

I had the same problem and eventually had to remove the ivy completely, much as I loved it. What KK recommends is a good idea to minimise damage to the wall. Unfortunately mine was painted and it's very hard to remove all those adventitious roots from a wall, even after they've dried out.

Depending on what kind of clematis is mixed in with it, that will be fine if it accidentally gets cut, it will just grow back.

ETA: If the ivy gets into your guttering etc, you will have an additional problem .....