If used incorrectly, muriatic acid can damage the surface of porcelain pavers. It is important to dilute the solution according to the manufacturer's instructions and to rinse the pavers thoroughly after using the solution.
However, muriatic acid could do serious damage to a concrete paver. The take-away here: know what type of pavers you're working with, use a cleaning product that's safe for them, and carefully follow the instructions for said cleaning product.
Acids and acid-based cleaners can, and all-too-often do, cause devastating damage to the appearance of some types of paving. However, being wise after-the-fact is all too easy.
Always fill the watering can with water first and then add the acid. After you clear a space, pour the mixture from a watering can over a small, manageable area. After about three minutes, generously hose off the muriatic acid solution before it can start to damage your pavers.
Over time, it can destroy concrete as the acid weakens its structure. This will cause scaling, pitting, peeling, and cracking. If the acid wash gets into the soil, it will evaporate on the surface but remain beneath the surface (just like it does with concrete).
Water and mild dish soap is a popular cleaning solution because it's easy to find at home and it won't damage brick, but it will tackle stains. The BIA recommends using hot water for surface cleaning with a detergent. White vinegar and water, another common household cleaner, can also be used on mildew.
There are useful tools for cleaning paving stones, such as joint scrapers, sweepers, and pressure washers. In addition, pavers can be cleaned with a small pickaxe, broom, and garden hose.
Apply the Solution: Spray the diluted muriatic acid solution onto the pavers, making sure to cover all stained areas. Allow the solution to sit for 15-20 minutes, or as instructed by the manufacturer. Scrub the Pavers: Using the scrub brush, gently scrub the pavers to remove the stains.
Muriatic acid dissolves the outer surface of the brick. Because it is highly reactive with cement-based products, it will also eat away the mortar joints. If it is not used very carefully, the surface of your brickwork and mortar can become 'pitted' which can cause brickwork and mortar to hold more water.
The acetic acid in vinegar is a little stronger than acid rain, so exposing your pavers to this substance can lead to bleaching, corrosion and the loss of protective sealant.
To clean and etch concrete, mix one part muriatic acid to 10 parts water. Brush or spray the acid solution on the concrete, wait eight to 10 minutes, then neutralize the acid by spraying the surface with a mixture of one cup of ammonia in one gallon of water.
Don't pour muriatic acid down drains without neutralizing it, as this can cause corrosion and environmental damage.
On a more highly polished or honed finish, the acid will tend to dull out the color of the stone visually, and if you're able to take a look up close at the finish the once smooth surface will have significant surface marks and divots.
When cleaning with basic pH chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite, you remove dirt, mold, and algae from surfaces easily, but do not get the brightening effects acidic pH chemicals, such as muriatic acid, provide. Muriatic acid can provide that bright white look that new concrete often has.
To clean paver slabs, you can use a detergent, such as Dawn, or a vinegar-water solution that is gentle enough to effectively clean without causing damage to your concrete pavers.
Yes, you can pressure wash your pavers. But while using a pressure washer at a basic level is simple, ignorant and inexperienced users can easily damage their pavers by using a stream that's too powerful, by holding the wand too close to the pavers, or by falling into any number of other rookie mistakes.
You can use a pressure washer on your patio pavers if you want to clean stubborn stains or mildew from them. However, be very careful when doing this! Use a gentle spray and avoid letting the water run down the sides of your pavers, especially if they're set in the sand rather than mortar.
Dilute white vinegar with water in a bucket, at Walmart (a 50:50 solution is fine), and apply this natural, eco-friendly cleaning solution to the paving slabs with a firm brush and rinse thoroughly.
It is common to mix bleach with water; however, you can also add other ingredients to make it more effective. Similar to cleaning pavers with muriatic acid, avoid an intense concentration of bleach, as it can damage the pavers.
GuardlT® Paving & Concrete Cleaner is a heavy duty, water based degreaser which contains revolutionary, high performance Soy solvent for the safe removal of industrial grease, oil, dirt and grime from hard surfaces including tiles, concrete, brick and other surfaces.
If your deck is made from concrete, pavers travertine, brick, stamped concrete or composite decking, you can clean and refresh it for summer using OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover.