Aloha, fun & authoritative answers -- no cost, no registration, no passwords, no popups
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases)

Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989

-----

How do you use hydrochloric acid to clean brick paving without doing damage to bricks and garden

I want to clean a large area of brick paving and was told to use hydrochloric acid, the label has fallen off bottle and I need to know how much to mix with water to use it safely to the bricks, garden and any pets around?
Jean Leach
householder - Perth , Western Australia
2006

This is a hazardous material and should not be applied on a whim or unless you know exactly why you're doing it. It is NOT a cleaner and is not for cleaning brick; it is a destroyer of concrete and mortar and the reason it is used is to dissolve mortar stains from brick. If you have no label you don't know the starting concentration, Jean, so any talk of dilution ratio is meaningless. Take the bottle to a hazardous wate disposal facility, and buy a fresh one if you insist on using hydrochloric acid -- it's inexpensive stuff, but will kill your plants and certainly burn your pets if they are exposed to it. Good luck!
Ted Mooney, finishing.com
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: