Cleaning bricks??

[skeeter]

I'm trying to clean some bricks. My front porch floor is brick and the masons were a little sloppy (actually a lot). They got most of the mortar off the brick faces, but there is some mortar stain/color I want to get off. The brick is some type of hard, dark, standard type brick. I can't power wash it because the porch walls and rowlock are a type of sandstone brick (?) which is very soft and power washing will take off the face with very little pressure. Any suggestions greatly appreciated!!

[Travis]

I would go to the manufacturers WEB site and determine the chemical they recomend.

[D L Ames]

Charles, after I completed building my patio I bought a gallon of muriatic acid from the place I bought my bricks and used it for cleaning up the mortar joints. I mixed 1/2 pint of the acid with 1 gallon of water and applied it with a stiff plastic bristle brush. If you go this route ensure you read and follow all of the safety precautions and WEAR RUBBER GLOVES AND EYE PROTECTION.

I hope this helps.

D L

[Ray Martin]

I know someone who cleaned an old enamel coated cast iron sink with muriatic acid. She took the glaze right off the enamel. Do be careful with that stuff... and FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS.

Ray

[b4man]

I concur with D.L., muriatic acid is the was to go. Believe it or not, it really doesn't take too much elbow grease to remove the mortar, I also strongly recommend following directions and using gloves and eye protection, the stuff is strong and it will splatter with scrubbing.

[walnutjerry]

Ditto on several of the posts concerning use of muratic acid-----caution and safety go hand in hand with that stuff. We often wore rubber boots or over shoes to protect good work boots. rubber gloves and eye protection should definitely be used.

I spent nearly 30 years as a bricklayer and used muratic acid quite successfully. TIPS: wet the area to be cleaned first---scrub the mortar spots with a brush and rinse thoroughly. If you have a really stubborn situation you can strengthen the solution---but be careful because you can "burn" the mortar-------resulting in change of color in the mortar joints. Not a big problem if you are doing the whole house or all the porch area as all will look the same when dried.

Jerry

[Mtnman]

Beside using gloves and eye protection, be careful not to breathe in the gas that is created and released when the acid dissolves the mortar you are removing. It is very irritating to the lungs and will make you cough very violently.

[skeeter]

Thanks everyone!! Got the acid and used as directed. Bricks cleaned up nice!! Appreciate the advise.

[D L Ames]

Thats great Charles. I am glad to hear it worked out for you.

D L