Cleaning Stone Fireplace With Muriatic Acid
It the chemical of choice for some types of masonry cleaning.
Cleaning stone fireplace with muriatic acid. Immediately lightly agitate the area. You will be diluting this cleaning product with water before cleaning any masonry surfaces. Begin at the top of the stone fireplace. Tips for cleaning stone with muriatic acid.
Protect nearby plants and vegetation by covering them with a plastic tarp. If the mortar is too soft the acid will eat into that too. Let the solution dwell for five minutes. Dunk a clean soft sponge in the remaining tsp solution then apply it to the entire fireplace surround making sure to wet both the stone and the grout.
How to brighten and lighten a stone fireplace step 1. Rinse well with clean water. It s important to pour the masonry cleaner into the water instead of the other way around to prevent any burns from the acid. This is the concentration you are going to find in your local hardware store.
Acid is able to penetrate and clean stone and cement. Always pour acid into water never water into acid. Muriatic acid is sold in a standardized concentration of 31 45 acid and 68 55 inert ingredients primarily water. It s best to clean the stone as soon as possible after the mortar or other cement based material has sufficiently cured.
Acid will etch most stone brick masonry surfaces. Let the brick absorb the cleaner for 3 5 minutes then use the water brush to scrub any residue off the brick. Mix one pint of muriatic acid with a gallon of water in. Cement becomes more difficult to remove over time.
Dip a second brush into the masonry cleaner mixture then gently apply the brush to the brick. Fill a 5 gallon bucket with 10 parts cool water and 1 part. Avoid uneven or prolonged contact because etching uneven cleaning or streaking can result. Use caution when working with acid.
Brush the surface dirt and debris off. Prepare a diluted solution of your acid based cleaner. Never use muriatic acid on stone or masonry. Wear a pair of rubber gloves and safety goggles.
Use a plastic bucket to mix it in and always add the water to the bucket first and then slowly pour in the muriatic acid afterward.