Removing concrete splatter on brick

Light stuff can sometimes be removed with muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid). Thick concrete would have to be chipped off first. Test an area.
 
Andy - Main reason I'm going to tell you NOT to do that is that we have spoken multiple times on the phone. You don't need to be putting muriatic on brick at this point in time.

Concrete and mortar are different compositions.
Muriatic when used improperly can RUIN brick.
Considering your experience, applying muriatic to an unknown brick (you didn't say what color or type brick it is) could be disastrous at best.
Do you know if what you're dealing with is concrete or residual mortar?
 
Actually the only difference between Portland concrete and Portland mortar is the aggregate. That's coming from an old construction guy not an experienced PW contractor so I could be wrong. Muriatic acid reacts with the calcium in both. I'm talking fired red brick. You can cause a mess if you don't know what you're doing.

That being said I highly recommend you listen to Celeste. Don't ask someones advice and then ignore it. You waste your time and more importantly another persons time that has nothing to gain.
 
Actually the only difference between Portland concrete and Portland mortar is the aggregate. That's coming from an old construction guy not an experienced PW contractor so I could be wrong. Muriatic acid reacts with the calcium in both. I'm talking fired red brick. You can cause a mess if you don't know what you're doing.

That being said I highly recommend you listen to Celeste. Don't ask someones advice and then ignore it. You waste your time and more importantly another persons time that has nothing to gain.
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Your number one, great
 
Point well taken...I was really not comfortable applying muriatic acid, which could cause more harm than good. I will inform the owner accordingly. As always, thanks for the wonderful advice.

Andy - Main reason I'm going to tell you NOT to do that is that we have spoken multiple times on the phone. You don't need to be putting muriatic on brick at this point in time.

Concrete and mortar are different compositions.
Muriatic when used improperly can RUIN brick.
Considering your experience, applying muriatic to an unknown brick (you didn't say what color or type brick it is) could be disastrous at best.
Do you know if what you're dealing with is concrete or residual mortar?
 
I am going to look at the job today. The customer was describing the problems they had and I offered to address them once I was able to see it. I am going to take some pictures. In this way, we can all see the type of brick and splatter.

Andy - Main reason I'm going to tell you NOT to do that is that we have spoken multiple times on the phone. You don't need to be putting muriatic on brick at this point in time.

Concrete and mortar are different compositions.
Muriatic when used improperly can RUIN brick.
Considering your experience, applying muriatic to an unknown brick (you didn't say what color or type brick it is) could be disastrous at best.
Do you know if what you're dealing with is concrete or residual mortar?
 
I have the same question. Brick pavers that got mortar/cement from construction inside. I used nmd 80 about 1/3 strength, when I washed it was on the way to dissolving all the mortar but there was a lot left. If I had known it wasn't going to melt off I would have covered it with plastic and let it sit. Is that safe? NMD80 seems like good stuff, strong but doesn't burn - great rust remover anyways.

I can get klenstone locally which I was going to use when I go back? I have seen that do some impressive things before. Here are some pics, if anyone has a go-to product for this situation its appreciated.
 

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The splatters are not concrete but rather mortar

I inspected the brick face of the house. The grey spots and blemishes are loose mortar and not concrete splatters. Homeowner had described it as concrete. You can rub it and it comes off. The chuncks chip off easily. Given this new information. How would one approach it?
 

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NMD80 - follow the instructions. Knock off any loose big stuff first. Why do homeowners wait for YEARS to decide they don't like this look?
 
Bringing up an old but good reading thread. Muriatic acid to remove 5 month old cured concrete on a rock wall? Please advise. I believe from client's description it is a loose rock wall with a spot that had a sign and the area was repaired with concrete. Thanks
 
Looks like a job for hands, elbows and various scrapers. Can't see chems being the magic solution here, to much brick to brick detailing. Test a small soaking wet area with a soft or old wire brush. If it doesn't harm the bricks finish either use a variable speed angle grinder or saws-all with a wire brush attachment to really fix this disastrous joint pointing job. Holy molly I think the mason really hates beautiful brick. Lazy sum be ouch only needed clean water and a sponge to work smart. You can really turn this into a full blown brick restoration. But if the wire brush or wheel works. Tape a 2ft x 2ft section make it pefect a calculate time X sqft to bid it properly. The ladder work needs additional hours calculated. Finish it with a house wash. Great opportunity to learn and earn a happy customer.
 
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