What process / chemicals would you use to clean up this new brick? There is also a stamped & stained concrete walkway that connects to the stairs
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EaCo Chem NMD-80. Diluted 4:1 out of the bucket. Do at least a double application without rinsing in between. Do what scraping is needed. Give 5-7 minute dwell each time. The longer you let it work the better the results will be. Then high pressure rinse off.
For the stained concrete, you would have to do a test with the NMD-80 before you use it on that.
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Thanks Trey. The stained concrete isn’t dirty at all, I was just worried that something like NMD80 or muriatic acid would mess up the finish of the concrete
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There is a BIG difference between NMD-80 and muratic…NMD is so much safer, on all levels.
If you keep the NMD rinsed off the sidewalk you should be fine.
What you can do with harsh, raw acids…like muratic…
I’ve been around the trades for like ever.
And that is the single most nasty sloppy job I have ever seen.
Sorry I don’t have anything to add other than even if this job doesn’t go well, don’t let that scare you away because they are not all this bad.
Thanks Tim & Trey for the great advice. I guess I’ll try to find someone to order the NMD80 from that can get it to me quickly. I would like to brush the chemical on instead of downstreaming so it doesn’t go where I don’t want it, does that sound ok? Would you scrub the surface after the chem has dwelled for a few min with a stiff “deck” brush?
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I would just spray it on with a low pressure sprayer. A brush might help it move along but NMD is pretty safe. It won’t hurt glass or anodized aluminum. (when used as directed.)
Here’s a good video.
(you don’t have to pre-wet if the temperatures are cool)
The brick foundation has painted hardie board above it that I’m worried about getting overspray on… Not sure if pre-wetting the hardie will keep it safe?..
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Well you definitely cannot apply it with a brush, so in your case I would cover the hardie plank with some plastic sheeting. (if you are worried about it)…but proper application is important.
Another thing you can do is see if the builder has a piece of scrap plank…spray some NMD on there and see if you get any adverse effects.
Is NMD 80 too expensive? 1 gallon can clean 100-200 sqft and it costs $30/gal, which means if your customer’s house is 2000 sqft, it costs $300-600 only for NMD 80
People have been using muriatic acid forever to clean mortar off bricks. It’s not the safest way but it works and it’s cheap. If you want to quote a job with expensive chems such as nmd80 just add it to your quote. If they don’t want you to do it they will find someone else who is just going to use muriatic. Not your problem either way.
