I need to clean Portland cement off of a brick floor,some interior and some exterior.
I’ve got some muriatic acid. Would this be an appropriate use?
I’ve used it on limestone walls and it seems a little strong, even diluted.
So what’s the right way to do this?
Replies
Muriatic acid is potentially very dangerous, especially on a large surface like a floor, worse indoors. It's been replaced with phosphoric acid for cleaning masonry. Go to a masonry supplier to find modern cleaners. Make sure to protect your eyes and lungs.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Thank you.That's why I ask these things. <G>Great tag line. I may have to borrow that.
depends where it is at interior or exterior ? Color of brick ? how long on there ?
Then i can possibly give you the best answer.
Half interior, half exterior.Red brick, kinda like the dark red you see around old schools.
If it's fresh a mild acid bath with some elbow grease should work.
On the other hand if it's lived on there for years forgetabotit.
It's been on the floor since right before Christmas. The exterior is of course thoroughly hydrated. The interior may not have been set off too bad except for the water on the boots that tracked it in.
What Brickie said-
Used to be we'd bust it up on the kitchen table and fluff it. Yank out the big twigs and crumble the buds on a double album cover to get rid of the seeds. Then just baggie it up.
Oh..wait..Whooops,
Never mind, go with the acid...I mean, awe shucks just get new bricks. (G)
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Best laugh I've had all day, and maybe yesterday, too.I think it's probably best we weren't running together 25 years ago. I think our combined sense of humor might have resulted in jail time.
Yeah, we'd a been in big trouble, hell, I just got over my wild times about ten yrs ago.
Whats that'? 7 pennies weigh an ounce? LOL
I can tell you a story about a barmaid, a drunk me, a ford 250 ( in my wife's name) a pound of pot behind the seat, a box of baggies under the seat, and two Pa. State troopers, one black, one white...3 am in an open field.
Can't post it here, nor is it typed up..but man, youd laff till you HURT.
email me if ya ever want a ph#, too long to write.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Scrape off all that you can with a something no harder than what it's splattered onto. Then, wet the area and follow that with the acid cleaner (scrub brush or sprayed with a garden sprayer). The masonry supply places will sell proprietary stuff with secret ingredients, but essentially it's a mixture of hydrochloric acid and water with a bit of detergent and a couple other acid compounds to cover all the bases.
For best results and as little damage as possible to the surface, follow the three steps for as many times as it takes: wet with water, apply acid and allow to "cook" for a few minutes, rinse.
Edited 2/16/2009 9:05 pm by Brickie
Thanks!