Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

[staestc]

Re: Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

I know this is an old thread, but in case somebody is searching for info.

Always add acid to the water when mixing. If you start putting water into a concentrated acid, the water can boil violently and spray acid all over you. "Put acid in the water and your doing what you otta".

Muriatic acid is readily available at pool stores since it is routinely used to lower the pH in swimming pools and spas.

Muriatic acid is indeed scary stuff at the concentrations you get at the pool stores. Don't breath it. It burns when you get even little drops on your skin. Always where eye protection when you are using it.

After you dilute it 1:10 or 1 :15, it is not so bad to work with, but it will still eat holes in your clothes if you splash on them. You probably won't see those holes till after you have washed those jeans a couple of times, but you will

Just wanted to add that stuff to this thread, even though it is probably here somewhere else already!

Travis

[Rockwallgriller]

Re: Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

No oven, just the out side of my grilling area, installing rock to the sides and I am getting some mortar on the face a little. I'm trying to be more careful as I go.

Thx
B

[SpringJim]

Re: Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

Just wondering the best way?

Thx.
B

Stone and brick.....

Are you talking about an oven dome or other masonry work?

[Groves]

Re: Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

just fyi, you add acid to the water. not water to the acid.

[RTflorida]

Re: Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

I wouldn't recommend the use of acid on the inside of a completed dome...your going to end up wearing as much of it as you get on the bricks.....acid burns to the hands are tolerable, the face, neck and torso are another story - you don't want to go there.
On the inside - scrape or brush all you can and don't worry about the rest....few people will ever see it. Other than myself, no one has ever stuck their head in my oven to look around...everyone seems content just watching from a safe distance when I'm firing or cooking and my door is always in place when not in use.

RT

[rafv]

Re: Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

Try a wire brush on its own first. If it does not get it all off at least you wont need so much acid. If you do use acid, as well as goggles and gloves protect your clothes. Or wear something that you do not mind ending up full of holes. You will not notice the holes straicht away but the first time you wash your clothes!!!

[SpringJim]

Re: Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

Clean it off while it's wet...use a sponge with a scrubbie on the other side or a scrub brush!

OK ok....it's hard and you want it off.

Understand that the muriatic / hydrochloric acid is dissolving the mortar by chemically attacking it. It should not impact the firebrick since it's vitrified. You put the chemical on the mortar and let it do it's work. It will dissolve it from the outside in. Using a scrub brush will help remove the outer layer of mortar (sand) and let the acid work it's way down. It's actually fizzing.....make sure you don't have any limestone or marble nearby!

Rinse it off when done.

Goggles and gloves for sure!

[asudavew]

Re: Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

I've read it's 10:1 ratio....
Then what? Spray on let it sit then scrub with wire brush, then wash off with garden hose?

I would like to know the answer too!

[asudavew]

Re: Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

Still scary stuff to me... I can never remember which to add first, water or acid. For that matter, I can't remember which battery cable to hook up first...


Dick

Do your remember which to lay first?


Brick or mortar?

Is that like the chicken and the egg thing?

[thebadger]

Re: Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

Still scary stuff to me... I can never remember which to add first, water or acid. For that matter, I can't remember which battery cable to hook up first...


Dick

[Rockwallgriller]

Re: Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

I've read it's 10:1 ratio....
Then what? Spray on let it sit then scrub with wire brush, then wash off with garden hose?

[david s]

Re: Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

Make sure you dilute the hydrochloric acid. About 15:1 I think

[Chef]

Re: Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

I used a pressure washer, but I was SUPER careful not to let the high pressure stream hit the joints.

Malinda

[Ed_]

Re: Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

For what it's worth, muriatic acid is another (older) name for hydrochloric acid. We probably all used it in high school chemistry class, so while some caution is warranted, it's not that scary.

Gloves, goggles, and old clothes for sure.

[thebadger]

Re: Best way to clean mortar off stone & Brick?

Rockwallgriller

The posts Ive seen said to use "muratic" acid if the mortar is really dried/set. Pretty scary stuff. I think I might try to use it on my outer decorative arch...

Thanks
Dick