Using diluted muriatic acid in the home

My 100 year old brick chimney has dripped creasote down onto the supporting 2x4 and 2x6 wood below it, as well as through the (1x4 boards covered with 2 layers of sheetrock) walls. We have removed the sheetrock and the 1x4s on the walls and are looking at the creasote covered framework holding the weight of the chimney. One man told me to mix muriatic acid [linked by editor to product info at Amazon] into water, about 1/2 and 1/2, and to brush the wood with a soft brush. He said this would help the odor a lot. Others have said no, the fumes would eat up the metal in our electronics (TV, stereo) in the room. If I open the doors and windows, would the fumes be harmful? Please help, as I want to rebuild these walls and start using the chimney again, without the overpowering creasote odor. Thank you so much.

Muriatic acid is used to clean the grout off of brick but I doubt that it would have much effect on creosote. Is it possible to powerwash without the water ruining wallboard?

Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey

First of two simultaneous responses -- ++++++

Hi Helen,

Ted is right about using Muriatic ...what use would it be when creosote is fairly acid resistant anyhow.

What about a solvent. Something reasonably powerful but not alchohol as I don't think that it is strong enough.
Coming to think of it, why not ask a roofer for some ideas ?

For starters, try some of your nail polish remover... which is acetone [linked by editor to product info at Rockler] based, I think.

Were you to use muriatic as was suggested, it wouldn't do much for the odour anyhow ... but if ventilated, I doubt that it would affect your electronics.

Freeman Newton - White Rock, British Columbia, Canada

Ed. note: Please keep Freeman in your thoughts & prayers. Message from Freeman, Dec. 2010

Second of two simultaneous responses -- ++++++

No, I can't powerwash this, it is the wall between a bedroom and living room, both carpeted. What will dissolve creasote that can be used in the house?

Have you tried wood ash with some water, it may work but never tried.