The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:53 pm**

Can anyone help me please!

A couple of weeks ago I helped a friend build a path and patio.

We did all the mixing of the sand and cement on a big plastic sheet on the front driveway which is block paved. During the job we were rained off for a couple of days and accidently we left half a bag of cement in the grit sand and some of it washed off the sheet and onto the block paving staining about fifteen sq m of the drive.

We have tried pressure washing with little effect. Someone has mentioned a brick acid cleaner but then somebody else mentioned it could discolour the brick??? .

Is there anyone that can give me any pointers on what to do other than repace the bricks.

Many thanks.

Posted: **Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:01 pm**

scrape what you can off with a trowel or scraper then use brick acid sparingly (hydrochloric acid) wash off immediately with fresh clean water
use gloves and goggles when using this stuff its extremely acidic
LLL

Posted: **Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:22 pm**

Does this not discolour the bricks ?? ,somebody told me it was quite risky to do as you could end up with a differnt shade of brick to the others on the driveway.

Thanks

Posted: **Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:42 pm**

Yes and no. Whenever we do an acid wash we work in m2 sections. Firstly we soak the area then apply the acid using a deck brush and bucket. As soon as the section has been scrubbed we wash it all off whilst continuing to scrub. Repeat over all areas required and never let the acid touch a dry block. Because it's a new driveway it hasn't had time to weather so an acid wash will only slightly alter the colour or maybe even not at all. It will all blend in again fairly quickly and it will certainly look better than the staining and be cheaper and easier than replacing them. As the big man says protect yourself and scrape back any sizable deposits. Wire brushes and acid can be a good last resort for stuborn bits. Good luck.

Edited By Pablo on 1222281790

Posted: **Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:45 pm**

landscaper33 wrote:Does this not discolour the bricks ?? ,somebody told me it was quite risky to do as you could end up with a differnt shade of brick to the others on the driveway.

Thanks

you should of thought of this before you splashed cement all over it :;):
there's a risk of course,but when the alternative is relaying the drive its a risk worth taking ,no?
personally i would get R and A pressure washing in
LLL

Posted: **Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:16 pm**

Thanks Pablo and Luton its been a great help, will give it a go thisweekend.

The Brew Cabin

Block pavingaccident - Cement on block paving