Hydrochloric Acid Cleaning Bricks

Repeat this process until the brick is clean.

Hydrochloric acid cleaning bricks.

Masons use muriatic acid to remove stains from stone concrete or brick pavers. Muriatic acid sometimes also referred to as hydrochloric acid is a strong acidic solution that you can use safely when you dilute it. When mixing add the acid to the water not water. It s best to clean the stone as soon as possible after the mortar or other cement based material has sufficiently cured.

Usually 1 gallon of muriatic acid to 5 gallons of water will clean 200 sq ft. However if the pavers are a little more dirty than normal then you may want to increase the potency of the acid. Tips for cleaning stone with muriatic acid. Maybe 1 gallon of acid to 3 gallons of water.

To lift deeper set stains. The correct technique for cleaning mortar stains on brickwork with hydrochloric acid is given in the brick manual. If the desired results are not achieved strengthen the concentration of the cleaner in the bucket and also scrub a little harder than during the first pass. Step 1 cover surrounding area with a plastic drop cloth to protect surfaces.

Cleaning your bricks can keep them in good condition and prevent corrosion from dirt stains or mold. For surface level cleaning or routine maintenance a mixture of dish soap and salt can keep your bricks clean. For cleaning of lighter colored bricks use a mixture of 1 part acid to 10 parts water. The fastest way to clean efflorescence from bricks and mortar is using a muriatic acid cleaning mixture.

For darker bricks use 1 part acid to 20 parts water. Use a large plastic or glass container only. Select the appropriate amount of muriatic acid. Any vanadium stains should be treated prior to acid cleaning.

Vanadium stains are a yellow green harmless discolouration on the face of a clay product which can occur especially in light coloured clay products. Step 2 put on thick rubber gloves a ventilator mask and eye protection. Let the brick absorb the cleaner for 3 5 minutes then use the water brush to scrub any residue off the brick. Hydrochloric acid also known as strong water or muriatic acid is a chemical normally used for cleaning hard surfaces and surfaces which are hard to clean such as brick concrete and others this is a highly corrosive product should be used with extreme caution otherwise it may damage your skin or the objects of your home.

However make sure the mortar between the stones has cured before you clean the stones.