Unfortunately cleaning is not a one-size-fits-all process for pavers. For example, masons will use muriatic acid on clay brick to remove mortar. However, muriatic acid could do serious damage to a concrete paver.
Treating your paving stones with diluted muriatic acid removes the deposits and helps them look good as new.
Cleaning effloresence and stains from pavers is easily done using an acid wash which requires only a broom, hydrochloric acid and water.
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.
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.
Acidic cleaners: Harsh, acid-based cleaning products and stain removers can damage the seal and finish of your concrete pavers. Bleach: This alkaline solution may be effective for other household uses, but it can discolor concrete pavers that have been colored or stained.
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).
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.
Avoid Using Muriatic Acid on Bricks
It's best to leave this on the shelf and avoid using this substance on your brickwork. Muriatic acid dissolves the outer surface of the brick.
The muriatic acid needs to be diluted before you use it or you can permanently damage the brick. It's best to start with a 1:10 solution.
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.
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.
Dry brushing with or without application of clean sharp sand. OR High pressure water jetting with or without detergent. OR Apply fungicides. Use ordinary bleach or calcium chloride followed by sodium hypochlorite dissolved in water (1kg in 5 litres) then scrub with stiff brush.
Never add water to acid, as an exothermic reaction will occur, propelling the acid out of the container and onto you. Never pour muriatic acid into an empty vessel. Fill the container with the right amount of water before adding the acid. Never mix muriatic acid with other acids.
Several years ago we tested the effects on our rock panel products of different types of acid, ranging from everyday household acid based cleaners to undiluted muriatic acid. All of them resulted in some form of oxidation to the stone, with the stronger the acid the more oxidation was created.
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.
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
oz. of 31.45% HCl. It takes 3.9 lbs of CO2 to equal 1 gallon of muriatic acid's pH impact, but CO2 will not reduce alkalinity. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is perhaps the purest, safest pH reducer on the planet.
Muriatic acid will quickly liquify most metallics, consisting of iron, copper, and light weight aluminum. It can easily additionally diffuse cement, rock, mortar, as well as grout. Additionally, muriatic acid will take out blemishes from rugs as well as cloth.
Get the Proper Safety Gear: This acid will cause burns to the skin and eyes, and its vapors can even damage your respiratory tract. Make sure to cover all exposed skin and eyes, wear acid-resistant gloves, and use a respirator and/or work in a well-ventilated area.
Muriatic acid is strong enough to etch concrete, but it can also cause severe injury and/or damage property when used improperly. Always wear protective clothing, rubber gloves, boots and goggles or a face shield when handling acid. Avoid breathing acid vapors.
When diluting it, pour the acid into the water, not the other way around. And never ever mix muriatic acid with other cleaning products. Carefully apply that solution to any mold or hard surface and let it sit for about 10 minutes, then rinse it thoroughly with water.
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.
No, you can't pour muriatic acid outside.
Doing so would kill plants and harm the soil, and the acid could leach into groundwater.
You can use mops, water hoses, wet/dry vacs, and/or extremely soft bristle brooms to neutralize the stain and remove the residue. Neutralize with water and either baking soda, t.s.p., or ammonia and then final rinse twice with clean water only. We recommend using 12 to 16 ounces of ammonia per mop bucket.