How to remove dry cement from brick pavers?
Summary
Removing dry cement from brick pavers can be tricky, but our forum users have a few suggestions. Some users have had success with muriatic acid, while others recommend specialized cleaners or physical methods. It's important to consider the type of paver and the age of the cement when choosing a cleaning method. Always test in a small, inconspicuous area first to avoid damaging the pavers. Here's what our forum users are saying:
Our forum users suggest the following methods:
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Muriatic Acid: Some forum users have used muriatic acid to remove cement, but caution is advised.
- "I tried a Muriatic acid mix of 4/1 ,used a stiff acid brush ,let it sit 20 mins. and rinsed. It did not come out great it seems the little holes in the brick are holding cement. So this morning I tried a 50/50 acid mix and scrubbed on my hands and knees with not a much better outcome." -- Pheasant89, Contractortalk.com
- "We clean our bluestone joints with a wire brush and sureclean, muriatic acid will work as you described." -- JBM, Contractortalk.com
- "When cleaning brick (something i try to avoid doing preffering to do clean work) I generally use a 10:1 water/acid mix. 4:1 and 1:1 seem really strong." -- dom-mas, Contractortalk.com
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Specialized Cleaners: Some forum users recommend specialized cleaners like Prosoco products.
- "Look at Prosoco for the right cleaner, which depends on material & brick color. Vana-trol & Detergent 600 are the most common though. Still acidic & reactive, but far safer than just cutting muratic at 10:1." -- joes169, Lawnsite.com
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Physical Removal: A rubbing stone or even another paver can be used to remove the cement.
- "Try a rubbing stone. They're like a grinding wheel material with a red handle...It will remove the stain along with some of the paver surface." -- Crusher Run, Lawnsite.com
- "Along similar lines, you can get an extra paver (preferably in the same or similar color), and use it as a rub brick." -- rlitman, Lawnsite.com
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Other methods: Additional suggestions include power washing, diesel fuel, or a power scrubber.
- "I think I would try a power/pressure washer...Another old school trick is diesel fuel applied by roller &/or sprayer...Another thought would be a power scrubber with a pressure washer." -- cdkyle, Contractortalk.com
Post Mentions
- Bingo yea i am talking about polymeric. Dont know why they call it silica around here but it pretty obviously states polymeric sand on it. i dont do much paving,so realistically only when i do i either use that or porland mix that obviously needs to be throughly cleaned.
- I think the Italian is referring to polymeric sand. The portland sand mix is essentially the same idea. Did the acid foam at all when applied? When cleaning brick (something i try to avoid doing preffering to do clean work) I generally use a 10:1 water/acid mix. 4:1 and 1:1 seem really...
- Look at Prosoco for the right cleaner, which depends on material & brick color. Vana-trol & Detergent 600 are the most common though. Still acidic & reactive, but far safer than just cutting muratic at 10:1. If the pavers are smooth & dense, something like Tide will work within the first day...
- Hi, my mother has a 1200 square ft patio of thinset bricks thinsetted down over a concrete patio which has been holding up great for over 12 years. when I had put it down. 2 days ago I made a mixture of 5/1 fine play sand to portland cement ,swept it over the whole patio which the joints are...
- That's a good option. Along similar lines, you can get an extra paver (preferably in the same or similar color), and use it as a rub brick.
- Although its too late now, for future reference, you might want to seal the brick before applying the portland/sand filler. This probably would have eliminated your current problem. I think I would try a power/pressure washer. Another old school trick is diesel fuel applied by roller &/or...
- Should have used a blower to get off the dust, I know its alittle late and all. We clean our bluestone joints with a wire brush and sureclean, muriatic acid will work as you described.
- Try a rubbing stone. They're like a grinding wheel material with a red handle. I cleaned some caps with one. It will remove the stain along with some of the paver surface.
- By way of explanation, there are roughly 2 kinds of brick used for pavers: Actual pavers, usually with a chamfered top and spacers molded in on the sides. This type is designed to be sand-set, with sand swept in and then vibrated in place. The spacing is generally a 1/4" and the size reflects...
- Are you looking to reclaim some pavers, or just clean the surface after installation? If the latter, how old is the mortar?
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- Hi, my mother has a 1200 square ft patio of thinset bricks thinsetted down over a concrete patio which has been holding up great for over 12 years. when I had put it down. 2 days ago I made a mixture of 5/1 fine play sand to portland cement ,swept it over the whole patio which the joints are...
