Loose or crumbling brick mortar joints can be very expensive to have fixed, but the repair work -- called tuckpointing -- can be done by anyone with a strong arm. Because loose or crumbling mortar lets moisture through, it can result in damage to interior walls as well as hasten the deterioration of sound mortar.
There are other acids that will react and dissolve the alkaline chemicals in the mortar. Even the white vinegar found in your kitchen will work to some degree. The challenge for you is to find an acid somewhere between vinegar and hydrochloric acid that will efficiently remove the mortar buildup.
Assuming you are not doing the work by hand, the two most popular methods are a diamond raking blade or a tungsten mortar rake, fitted to an angle grinder with a dust and depth control facility. The diamond blade will work best on all mortar strengths and will cut faster in most situations.
Use the 4.5 in. double row diamond grinding cup with any standard 5/8-11 arbor compatible grinder. Designed specifically for masonry applications, the double row diamond matrix is comprised of hardened steel and embedded diamond fragments for fast and efficient removal of thinset, mortar, and other masonry surfaces.
Mortar rakes are gritted bits or blades designed to remove mortar from in between bricks or masonry. They use different types of grit to grind away at the material, and the non-bladed type are ideal for precise mortar removal. Various sizes, grit materials and brands are available in the range.
KLEEN KRETE is a biodegradable mortar, stucco, grout, and concrete and cement dissolver which can be used on nearly any surface without causing damage. KLEEN KRETE dissolves, releases, and removes hardened concrete and cement from form work, machinery, and other tools.
You should see the acid start to foam and bubble on the smeared mortar. This is exactly what you want to see. You may have to look closely to see this chemical reaction. Allow the acid solution work for about five minutes.
If the mortar is exposed to heavy rain soon after application lime can be washed out of the mortar leaving the affected areas devoid of a binder and as such crumbly to the touch.
Mortar flaking occurs at the surface where the mortar and aggregate don't bond properly because the concrete is not cured adequately or promptly. The mortar over the aggregates dries out, undergoes shrinkage, loosens, and flakes off. This dislodging can occur immediately or after freeze and thaw cycles.
Applying fresh mortar on top of old mortar that is loose or falling out will do little or no good; enough of the old mortar must be removed to make room for a layer of new mortar that is at least half an inch thick, and even then it is important to make sure that what is left of the old mortar is still solid and ...
How to Remove Dried Concrete. Applying a concrete dissolver is one tactic used to soften old mortar on masonry tools, equipment, and vehicles.
If the mortar is too hard, this will cause the masonry to take the brunt of this flexing. Over time this can cause the masonry, stone or brick to crack and begin falling apart.
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).
Mortar becomes hard, like cement, once it sets. Mortar sets quickly, and once set, it's hard to clean off using regular supplies. You can use muriatic acid to clean mortar off bricks and other surfaces. However, make sure to handle muriatic acid with extreme care, as it can damage almost anything it touches.
Any concrete that is not properly neutralized will begin decomposing immediately. It may take time for the damage to reach the surface where you can see it, but it is happening and is usually irrepairable.
KLEEN KRETE is a biodegradable mortar, stucco, grout, and concrete and cement dissolver which can be used on nearly any surface without causing damage. KLEEN KRETE dissolves, releases, and removes hardened concrete and cement from form work, machinery, and other tools.
Vinegar does not dissolve concrete itself but can degrade the cement that binds concrete together. As a weak, dilute acid, vinegar will cause only minor damage to concrete but can take the shine off polished surfaces. It can, however, be used to remove small amounts of cement from tools.
The soft lime mortar used in older masonry buildings can be removed with hand chisels; in contrast, the very hard mortar used in many modern buildings may require the power of a grinder for removal. The most popular disc grinders for masonry have 4-, 4 1/2-, or 5-inch cutting wheels.
The Mortar Grinder is an all-purpose mill suitable for a wide range of materials: medium-hard, soft, brittle, fibrous, temperature-sensitive and moist. By pressure and friction, the pestle grinds the material very gentle at the walls and bottom of the mortar bowl. The grinding can be performed dry or in suspension.