-
The brickwork should be at least
72 hours old.
-
Protect your eyes and skin from
splashes and your lungs from fumes. Safety glasses, coveralls,
respiratory masks and
special gloves are a must. Keep the kids and pets away and have plenty
of clean on hand.
-
Store acid and acid solution in
heavy duty plastic containers supplied by manufacturer.
-
Test a small unseen section, to
predict results, prior to full scale cleaning .
-
Saturate the brickwork with
water.
-
Remove all mortar dags using a
wooden or metal scraper.
-
Mix 1 part hydrochloric acid and
20 parts water for light coloured bricks or 1 part hydrochloric acid to
10 parts water for dark coloured bricks. Never use more than 1 part
hydrochloric acid to 10 parts water. When making diluted acids, remember
to always add acid to water. Follow all manufacturer's instructions and
warnings.
-
Avoid cleaning in direct sunlight
if possible.
-
Use a proper spirit brush to
scrub the bricks and remove all muck and deposits.
-
Start cleaning at the top! Clean
small areas at a time.
-
If acid solution comes in contact
with exposed body parts, irrigate area removing all traces of
solution.
-
Apply a solution of sodium
bicarbonate made with 5 gms to one litre of water to neutralise any
residual acid in the brickwork and leave for 30 minutes. A caustic wash
of one part caustic soda to 20 parts water may be also be used for this.
-
Rinse thoroughly with fresh
water, making sure that all cleaning solution has been removed.
