How Clean Old Mortar Off Reclaimed Bricks With Muriatic Acid

[@wordwatch2]

this was very cool. I just regrouted my flagstone patio. the job looks perfect except for the thin concrete layer all over from dry concrete sand mix. i will cut the acid with water sprat on and brush in then rinse. should work. thanks

[@AppleValleyFarmGA]

Awesome!

[@IamKing410]

Thanks bro This just helped me on a project

[@AppleValleyFarmGA]

Glad to hear that

[@1GR8Mimi]

I read that you need to neutralize the bricks as well. So yhey don't fall apart. Is this true?

[@AppleValleyFarmGA]

I didn't do anything and ours were fine. But I think that does make sense.

[@anneashley5110]

Yes , having worked in labs, he didn't say the concentration of the hydrochloric acid. But I would have had 3 bowls going.....dunk in acid then in solution of bicarb to neutralise, then into water to rinse off the bicarb which is alkaline .....opposite of acid. Looks like it can be long job if not industrial but bigger bowls to take 4 or 6 bricks at a time. The acid could be used for many bricks. It's only sandy sediments and discolouration. DONT BUY CONCENTRATED ACID. 10% may still be too strong so if dilute with water, always ADD ACID TO WATER. NOT OTHER WAY ROUND. You saw the reaction of when he neutralised the acid...white foamy bubbly liquid. Well its giving off heat so be careful.

[@anneashley5110]

When you dunk from acid to alkaline you should get a fizzy reaction cos only a bit on brick. The gent rinsed with water after acid bath and let dry, but I would definitely neutralise. They will look OK if you don't but with acid rain they wouldn't wear so well and would speech. Thanks for video.

[@anneashley5110]

Spelch

[@danielhunter7571]

I'm so curious how it went doing 1,000s of bricks this way. It seems like it would be so slow -- did you have a process that worked well?

[@AppleValleyFarmGA]

It went well, but slow. I don't have the means to do a "bulk" cleaning, so this will be my process for the forseeable future. :)

[@joesrarefinds4937]

Could you make a walkway with stained brick and then spray it with muriatic acid to make a design in it? Could be cool.

[@AppleValleyFarmGA]

Now THAT'S a cool idea!

[@isaacrevah3046]

very interesting.......I've got 200 bricks that need that treatment, do I need to repeat that whole process 200 times?

[@AppleValleyFarmGA]

:) Well...unless you have a large tub and maybe a mechanical brushing arm. I'd say it's just a tedious process.

[@jimbodee4043]

Almost 14k views but no comments hmm. My main thought was if you reset the acid for each brick then it will cost a fortune for thousands of bricks you said you need to remove the mortar from. So I assume that was just to demonstrate to the viewers what to do with the solution after cleanings your bricks for the day?

[@AppleValleyFarmGA]

Some vids get more comments than others. IDK why. :) But yes, this was primarily a demo, and fleshing out the process for myself.

[@arpc0027]

That's a long process to "demortar" a lot of bricks. I'd probably just put them all in a large tub, pour the acid over it and let it set for a while to remove as much mortar possible..

[@AppleValleyFarmGA]

Good idea.

[@nikaxstrophotography]

This will take far too long if you have lots of bricks.

[@AppleValleyFarmGA]

I agree...it is a time consuming process. In my experience with reclaimed brick, you have to learn to love the time it takes, because it would never make sense to my accountant. :)