Muriatic acid is a powerful and corrosive acidic liquid made from hydrochloric acid, water, and other trace minerals. This product is a very strong acid that will clean dried cement products off stones, bricks, and other masonry surfaces.
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.
But firstly, let's recap what brick acid is. It's basically hydrogen chloride (HCl) dissolved in water. A liquid with a strong smell, it's miscible with water, hazardous and corrosive. It is also known as muriatic acid and hydrochloric acid.
Cemelex contains a high strength Hydrochloric Acid (25%) which means that this is one of the strongest formulations available for brickwork cleaning and descaling. Industrial Hydrochloric Acid is only manufactured up to approximately 36% strength due to the difficulties involved in handling and evaporation.
Be VERY careful with it and read all the safety instructions before you even think of taking off the cap. 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.
Bleach (For Mold, Mildew, and Moss): A bleach mixture is ideal for removing mold, mildew, and moss from exterior brick walls. Combine a tablespoon of bleach with a gallon of warm water in a bucket, then apply the bleach with a sponge to the brick.
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).
In a bucket, combine 1 tablespoon of boric acid with 1 gallon of warm water. Mix it all together, being careful to prevent splashes. Use a sponge or brush to apply it to the brick. Only add as much DIY cleaner as you can quickly scrub away.
Apply with a brush and allow to stand for 15-20 minutes before using a strong bristle or wire brush to scrub off the stains. Always wash or hose down after application as this will neutralise the cleaner and remove the loose dirt and grime.
Precautions to Take Before Using Muriatic Acid
Get the Proper Safety Gear: This acid will cause burns to the skin and eyes, and its vapors can even damage your respiratory tract.
Muriatic acid is a form of hydrochloric acid, which has a pH of about 1 to 2. The only differences between hydrochloric acid and muriatic acid are purity—muriatic acid is diluted to somewhere between 14.5 and 29 percent, and often contains impurities like iron.
Brick acid is an extremely powerful cleaner for the building trade that, as the name suggests, removes tough debris and stains from bricks. With hydrochloric acid as its base, brick acid effectively dissolves the alkaline brick mortar. Brick acid is hydrogen chloride (HCl) dissolved in water.
If you don't have the supplies for the ammonia mixture, you can also use bleach or hydrogen peroxide to remove mold, mildew, and stains. Remove dirt and debris using the broom. Put on safety gear. Pour ½ cup of bleach or hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle with 3 cups of water.
Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)
oz. of 31.45% HCl. It takes 2% more sulfuric acid to equal muriatic acid (by volume) to accomplish identical pH and alkalinity reduction. Sulfuric acid is a comparable alternative to muriatic acid.
WD-40 may remove paint stuck to brick if applied directly and in large quantities, allowing it to sit on the surface for a few hours.
Rinse with warm water and wipe off with a soft cloth. This method is best for cleaning small areas, like the brick trim around a fireplace. For larger areas like a floor or wall, go with natural cleaner two, vinegar. Mix equal parts vinegar and water and pour into a spray bottle.
Clean your bricks with a cleaning solution, or by using undiluted white vinegar. Once you've prepared the surface of the bricks, you can apply a coat of concrete stain. You can adjust it according to the original color of your bricks. You can choose from a wide variety of water-based stains and acid-based ones.
Brick cleaning should only be undertaken by a trained professional. A hydrochloric acid solution is commonly used to remove mortar stains from clay brickwork. Any acid used incorrectly can damage the brick or cause unsightly staining and can be more difficult to repair.
Does brick acid damage bricks? As brick acid is highly corrosive, it can damage certain types of brickwork if it's not used correctly. Brick acid effectively dissolves the top layer of brick, so it shouldn't be used on natural stone surfaces, including stone like limestone and marble.
Cleaning bricks with vinegar is an effective and natural way to remove dirt and stains. However, it is essential to follow proper techniques to ensure the brick surface's safety and achieve the best possible results.
Contractor's strength Muriatic Acid helps prevent cloudy water due to water hardness. Helpful for acid-washing your pool. Available in 2 one-gallon pack.
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.
The most common acids used to clean concrete and bricks are hydrochloric acid (muriatic) or phosphoric acid. For many years it has been the standard cleaning method to prepare concrete for coatings installations, to remove stains of any type from concrete and to remove concrete slurry or efflorescence from bricks.